Purgatory has several different interpretations, then again, so does the LOST island. But one interesting theory is based on some of the other interesting commonalities between the two. That theory is of course that...the island IS purgatory! Let's see...

First off, Purgatory is similar to the idea of Limbo, it is in the afterlife, but it is in between heaven and hell. The people that go there are generally 'sinners' but at the same time, they are not evil people or terrible sinners, just people that made mistakes that prevent them from reaching heaven ATM. The island could be similar. As we can see in many of the flashbacks, the people on the island for the most part, have less than clean pasts, the kind of things that would make a higher power look for...further review if you will. And it is also possible the plane crash was either in fact their deaths leading them all to purgatory in one big sweep, transporting them from life to afterlife unknowingly.

The people on the island that 'die' are the ones whose fates have been decided and they have been sent on their way...to heaven or to hell.

Some say purgatory would be a punishment, others say it would not. This is where it gets a little tough. Arguably, if it is punishment, we could see some justification. But even if not, if you really pay attention, the island is less than terrible for the non-main characters, whom only suffer because they are being actively decided on and in many cases have 'died'.

The purgatory also ties in with the lesser theory of being 'left below'. The rest of the world has been decided on and sent to ehaven or hell, while these few must remain on earth alone. But this is VERY unlikely in this case.

Purgatory would also be the place for these characters to be redeemed, and again arguably, the characters that have died have been redeemed in some way. Boone was active with Locke and was generally good, Shannon came out of her shell and even found love in Sayid, Libby was very supporive for Hurley, the dynamite guy got into the cool group. Ana Lucia was being good and helpful, coming to realistic grips with her past. The air marshall or whatever even held Kate's secret to his death. And of course the other people on the plane were just sent there way. Even some of the other seemingly innocents have some wrongs to be righted...Claire must take full responsibility for herself and her baby and be more openminded about other people, Sun holds secrets and what not from Jin, etc. etc.

The Others are another problem with the idea, as in many theories, their role is very ambiguous. They could be angels working towards good, servants of Satan working towards evil, or simply just other people being judged.

Anyway, there is a lot of information. Hopefully it is not a waste of people's time and provides a good look into a different theory. I will be interested in the discussion.

The Others are indeed a wrench in this theory. I'm not sure what to make of them. I'd love to hear more.

I always shyed away from the P theory because of the rest of the people aboard Flight 815. If I understand you correctly, you are saying that it was just their time to either direction. Those who survived the crash, their fates remained undecided.

What about Smokey?? What is his role?

Yeah, I won't lie, I don't have full confidence in this theory, and obviously, the show could go in basically any direction the writers want. And more than likely, purgatory has been a thought, but for a network TV show, they will probably take something far less religious in tone.

But the other people aboard, yes, their fate had been decided and they were sent on their respective ways. While the remainder are...left below or whatever you'd make of it.

The Others...I don't know. If their role is to be explained next season it will only discount or help the theories out there.

Smokey could be a lot too. He could be some sort of punishment, or he could be something a higher power, example God, put in purgatory of its own free will as it is a place under God's full reign.

Other important parts to this theory are...48 people survived the crash, that is some serious odds breaking. Also, the characters go through trials, but what usually happens through them? The characters have become more good, their souls purified if you will. And the trials they face could very well be put there by their own subconcious to get better. Also, no or very little children, because they have no unresolved problems (Walt ties in with Michael) and more than likely go to heaven.

Just thought I'd add this too:
http://www.eonline.com/Features/Features/Lost/index.html

That has odds for the 5 big theories and the order is like this.
1) All in their heads. 5:3
2) They're on some unknown land like Atlantis. 10:3
3) Purgatory. 2:1
4) Paradise/Eden. 10:4
5) Other. 10:1

But also there is the big hole in the theory that is the writers have said it isn't purgatory. They could lie?

The writers indeed said it is not purgatory. But I have read the transcrïpts of the whispers, and some of what the whispers say sound like purgatory references. I will try to find some links to those transcrïpts as it was that revelation, in particular from some of the whispers in the Season finale, that finally got me taking this theory as a serious possibility instead of something to merely ignore.

TPTB could be saying things in interviews as red herrings. They are very creative, and I would not put it past them.

Yeah, I wouldn't put it past them either, though it doesn't exactly help. I like the purgatory idea though. And I definitely would like to read those whispers, sounds interesting indeed.

This is a link to the site I go to read the whispers. The work on the finale is not uploaded there yet. As you will see, a lot of the commentary focuses on death or dying, or choices.

http://www.lostlinks.net/whispers.htm#SHANNON%20&%20SAYID%20IN%20THE%20JUNGLE%20-%20OTHER%2048%20DAYS

ah...no Lost message board would be complete without a purgatory thread, lol.  I chuckled when I saw it

LOL TI - way to contribute!

Not that I have anything to add either...

A kitten just died.

This is a really interesting idea. I'm gonna be honest though. I hope no one guesses it.

I mean, I'm worried that I won't be surprised. I want it to be something great that none of us have thought about. I know that seems kinda silly. But does that make sense?

Totally makes sense, Div.
(Hope you don't mind, I'm lazy so I'm just gonna call you Div, lol)

As much as there are some really cool theories, it'd be nice to be totally and pleasently surprised when it's all said and done.

I just wanted to post in the Purgatory thread

It is fun to say Purgatory over here. Purgatory, Purgatory, Purgatory. Also Naomi, Naomi, Naomi.

Over at LTV they would kill kittens and ban you for life

Seriously though - remember the book from the hatch - "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge"?

Maybe it is not purgatory, but the moments as the plane crashes and everyone dies. Nice thought for a Friday huh?

LOL at Vincent.
Enjoy your purgatory theory we won't care

*wants to ban you all*

*As Guardian of the Nono Penelope give a big to this theory*


LOLOL

Yeah, well the writers for the show have basically shot this theory to shit...but I do have to say it would at least still make sense.

People come to the island when they die and it is a deciding ground for good vs. evil. And when the decision is made for heaven or hell, they 'die' on the island and go elsewhere. Which is why people could survive death, they were still not dealt final judgment.

It also works with the plane never taking off...seeing as they'd just be dead. But again, this theory serves little more than self-indulgence as its just not going to happen.

I'd like to think that they realize after what parachutist woman said last week, that this theory would resurface again because logically its now in play. I'm hoping in the upcoming weeks it will be discarded again.

Last night I was discussing the show with non-obsessive viewers -- and they all think it is purgatory because of what she said. I didn't have the heart to tell them TPTB said no way...lol

I know Pen. After Wednesday's episode one of co-workers came in so proud - she was telling everyone, "See? I've said all along they were in purgatory. This proves it." Other co-workers were saying it could be. I brought up the "what if it was fake wreckage they found, planted to keep them from looking" theory and the other co-workers said that was also a possibility, that it could go either way. She said, "No. Why would they do that? It's so obvious they are all in purgatory."

I shut my mouth at that point, because I didn't want to totally spoil anything for anyone, and I'm the only one who follows the show beyond watching it. I'm nice like that.

Maybe in the beginning TPTB originally planned it to be purgatory?

TPTB: "so we have this group of people who crashed on an island, and there`s gonna be a hatch, some polar bears and lots of weird stuff happening. And in the end it will turn out that they`re all really dead and in purgatory".
ABC execs: "OMGWTF YAY cool, we`ll make a lot of $$$. and that ending will surprise everyone."

a few weeks into the show:

TPTB: oh snap. our brilliant ending plot is all over teh stupid internets. We better say it is not purgatory, and start coming up with a different ending.

3 seasons later:
ABC execs: so how is that new end storyline coming along?

TPTB: *cough* dandy, just dandy *cough, cough*

Seriously though, what the parachutist said in DOC does fit well in with the purgatory theory, and like you said Pen - I do hope TPTB realizes this?