Discussion post - more speculation...

[g_shadowslayer]

I've been checking out some of the flashbacks, and some of this stuff is making me very curious. I'm putting the parts under cuts just because otherwise this post is going to end up huge...

First, there's the theory I floated earlier about Nathan. From Super, here's some selected dialogue from the flashbacks:

Comments

[blacktop50]

I love the speculation here, so inventive and provocative.

My tendency is to read all these flashbacks as character moments, rather than plot points. That is, I think the flashbacks are designed to show us important facts about the character traits and moral education of the core characters, rather than specific factual elements in a past that is never going to be explored in detail.

These important character points include:

-- Reese's massive psychic damage has it's roots in Stanton's abusive treatment and the loss of Jessica;
--Carter's gradual slide into the gray spaces away from her initial belief in moral absolutes began in the disillusionment of Iraq;
--Finch's paranoia and extreme emotional isolation has it's foundation in the disastrous loss of Ingram.

[litlover12]

Excellent analysis!

[brickhousewench]

Agreed. Nicely put.

[sunnybea]

I'd agree they're character moments that highlight themes as well as helping the audience character decisions/movements in the episode they're in. And I pretty much expect the show to make small errors in the timeline and throw away lines in episodes as well as the characters pasts. Some will be necessary to the plot, some will be lack of oversight and it will get more common as the show ages.

~Stanton is so wonderfully soulless and creepy - I'd be glad if they didn't intend to give us complete life histories (speculation is fun!) but I hope they bring her back quite a few more times.

~I haven't decided on Carter yet, I'm still thinking about her character

~I think Finch's paranoia is much older and rooted in something else but that his current purpose in life, his mission, began after Nathans loss.

Also still waiting on what happened to Fusco on 9/11 - it appears to be life altering for everyone else. More Fusco!

And, dangit, I can't really edit for clarity - have to go to work! =D