He that dies pays all debts.
The Tempest. Act iii. Sc. 2

Purgatory:

Definitely Dead

purgatory

A coworker suggested the island is actually part of Purgatory. Maybe these people are riding the fence of Heaven and Hell, and during their time on this island is their last chance to make it to Heaven. It actually goes against my personal beliefs, but as far as this show goes, it might be something like a Purgatory situation.

Any thoughts?

JacobLikesRunning

Re: Purgatory?

If you watched the show closely this Wednesday (the one that featured the pregnant girl) you would have noticed that her boyfriend, the artist had a painting in his apartment in a scene. This is interesting for one reason, on the painting was written in large black letters the word HELL. Are there any more clues necessary?

jameselek

Re: Purgatory?

I think the set designer has a healthy sense of humor

drabauer

Re: Purgatory?

Actually Jacob, I have it on good authority that the show is really based on the Aboriginal culture.

In said culture, for a person to come of age they must isolate themselves (preferrably in the wilderness) and travel until they find their spirit guide. When they do so, their guide will reveal some great personal insight and thus help them mature spiritually. As you can see many of the islanders have already undergone some profound spiritual/personal experience which could all be part of their individual quests.

I'm not so sure what this purgatory thing you speak of is, and what "Heaven" and "Hell" are, but I don't think they can stand up against a far better accepted notion of the Aboriginal spirit quest. The way I see it, the Great Spirit is the main star of this show and the islanders are simply trying to come to terms with it.

I think Claire's baby is going to be her own personal spirit quest that she will interestingly bring into the world. Therefore its fitting that only she has the ultimate power to decide if it will be good or malevolent.

CQC7

Re: Purgatory?

Actually, CQC7, I have it on good authority that many indigenous cultures now accept the doctrine of purgatory. In Australia, for instance, there is the Outback, and then there is The Way Outback For Tortured Souls. I hear Friere is amassing an army of counter-missionaries, though, who are furiously pamphleteering their motto: Purgatory be damned.

spooky

Re: Purgatory?

hashed, rehashed and burned to a crisp. There's even a club.

STOP: Society To Oust Purgatory theories!

AilaAolani 

Re: Purgatory?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

b a fett 

Re: Purgatory?

Please, this is hardly a new theory. There are about 20 posts on the subject, if you would just look around before you post it.

We have heard from one of the writers who has said it is not Purgatory. Honestly, if the characters were dead, what would be the point of their struggle for survival? Of the relationships they might form? What would it matter if Claire ever had her baby? It's a dead-end storyline.

No more Purgatory, please....

cinderellabop

Re: Purgatory?

The previous threads:

Purgatory 1
Purgatory 2
Purgatory 3
Purgatory 4
Purgatory 5
Purgatory 6
Purgatory 7
Purgatory 8
Purgatory 9
Purgatory 10
Purgatory 11
Purgatory 12
Purgatory 13
Purgatory 14
Purgatory 15
Purgatory 16
Purgatory 17

Dante would blanch at the discussion! drabauer

Re: Purgatory?

Not more purgatory?!?!? They aren't in purgatory, Claire is about to have a baby, so there is reason number 1. And the painting didn't say hell it said HELLO. p>

Lost at sea

Re: Purgatory?

I've been waiting for another Purgatory thread to pop up before I knew what I am about to say is right... now there can be no doubt...

The survivors aren't in Purgatory, we are. Every new purgatory thread is further proof. We have all died in our sins, and judging by the overwhelming amounts of purgatory threads we are subjected to, we were all very bad people. If any of you living see this, please, pray for our souls and get us out of here! morbius76

Re: Purgatory?

Quote:
Every new purgatory thread is further proof. We have all died in our sins, and judging by the overwhelming amounts of purgatory threads we are subjected to, we were all very bad people. If any of you living see this, please, pray for our souls and get us out of here!


LMAO morbius, you get the understatement of the season award:

drabauer

Re: Purgatory?

You know... not to beat a dead horse, put there could be a little twist in this. Purgatory does not have to be an actual physical place inhabited by the dead. It could be a spiritual place where the soul is searching for the right path.

From what I've seen, all of these characters are struggling with inner demons. They may not have done enough wrong in life to condemn them to personal hell but they have not achieved redemption in their own eyes. Perhaps each has assigned himself to a spiritual "purgatory" until he/she can find what their soul needs.

I'm pretty sure I've brought up these points before, but I'm ready for the Boone beating now.

JacksGirlfriend

Re: Purgatory?

I'm with JG. There is some sort of inner struggle going on and I think we are going to find Rose to be the devil and Sceve to be god!!

gscaleta

Re: Purgatory?

Could an admin please 'thumb tack' an "ATTENTION: Purgatory has been discussed ad nauseum" and add drabauers links?

b a fett

Re: Purgatory?

Sceve is god?!?!

GS, you are going straight to hell, bypass purgatory altogether. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.00.

morbius76

Re: Purgatory?

Could someone please thumb tack my apology thread so every time I insult people that want to stop discussing purgatory threads I can easily find a place to say sorry.

Currently accepting applications to S.T.O.P.

Support
Theories
On
Purgatory

Act now -- memberships are only $19.99 and if you call today we will throw in an extra membership for your friend at no additional cost and a brand new shiny toaster!!

gscaleta

Re: Purgatory?

Boone-style beatings for you, GS, for that last post! Sorry... I know you apologized, but I'm afraid I cannot spare you for this one. But, hey, we'll also beat Boone afterwards, just because.

JacksGirl, actually, I don't have a problem with the theme of a figurative purgatory. In a way, yes, they are. It's the "they're all dead" part that I don't like about it! The idea that they are in a place where they are faced with their sins and their mistakes and learn to change from them and become better people seems pretty clear. This is what is happening. I just don't like the idea that they are actually in purgatory and that they are dead, because there is no point in watching them struggle to survive if they are already dead. It will feel as though we have been cheated, because we worried about who will live and who will die, who will get together, and so on, when in reality, none of it mattered.

And of course, the other problem with the purgatory theory is the sheer number of threads posted on the subject, which new members never seem to bother looking for when they post the theory. If there are 17 threads mentioning it (and I'm assuming that doesn't even count this one), surely it wouldn't be hard for someone to find one, rather than posting it like it's a "totally new, never discussed, utterly original" idea.

cinderellabop

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