I'd guess (and, indeed, am doing so) that they're getting all quantum physics on our collective asses and that the two 'timelines' are actually one timeline with two seperate series of events superimposed on one another.

This means that both are happening pseudo-simultaneously - that is, simultaneously relative to the detonation of the bomb but three years apart to the casual observer. However, both series of events affect one another.

Example of this theory - Jack offers to try and fix Locke's spine. I'd guess that he succeeds - and that's why Locke is able to walk on the Island, he was 'fixed' in a superimposed surgery.

yep thats how the black rock gets to the middle of the island

The biggest hole in that theory is if the flashbacks are the same timeline, why is Juliet found underneath where the hatch is? Juliet told Sawyer that she hit the bomb, so obviously the bomb did exist in the timeline. Similarly, Juliet's "it worked" doesn't make much sense if on island sawyer's back story is the same as the flash-sideways.

Here is a basic rundown of some of the theories out there:

-The new flashes are an alternate universe created at some point by the losties (jughead or something else). The Alternate losties will begin dieing in similar ways to the original timeline. As some people have pointed out, Jack seems to notice something is different, and had blood on his neck. People believe the different timelines are going to start bleeding into each other, and soon will merge.

-Another theory is that the new flashes are actually what happens at the end of this season. At the end, jack does something that ACTUALLY resets the timeline, and he finds himself on the plane line on LAX. The continuation of these flashes are what would have happened if it landed.

-And finally, some people believe its a combination, that the flashes are an alternate, but being used to show them what it would be like if they didnt crash, that they would still be depressed, and that they had bigger things meant for them.


Theres tons more theories out there. Check out theoriesonlost.blogspot.com

Hrmm. When Sun and Lapidus went to the Dharma village last season ... the houses were all destroyed ... did they look like they could have been under water at some point?

I thought the same thing too. It's probably all a new alternate reality that will eventually collide with the old one, and the new events will mirror everything from the old reality, but be slightly less depressing!