'If Minkowski gets on there, you hang up right away...'

[Kiowa Warrior]

When Dan wants to phone Regina on the boat to launch his payload experiment thing, Frank warns him to hang up if Minkowski answers and Dan agrees...does Minkowski not approve of his science experiements? But Frank also told Jack that he does this kind of stuff all the time on the boat, so surely Minkowski must be aware of it? Maybe he just doesn't want him doing any experiments actually on the island, or doesn't want the radio used for any unnecessary communications or anything.

And Frank also says 'You just keep it to that science stuff, alright?' Which makes you wonder what other stuff could Dan have been doing during his boat experiments...

[Malion]

I think the fact that he does it all the time could be the reason...
I get the feeling (based on his voice) that Minkowski isn't the nicest or the most patient guy.
He probably doesn't want to be bothered with all this science stuff... which Daniel most likely talks about constantly.

[IM-LOST-WITH-LOST]

It could be that, but perhaps Minkowski would have a go at Daniel and co. due to them not fufilling there 'primary objective.' This again would bring up the discussion of what there intention is, and as the phone was on loud speaker, im sure the 'rescuers' wouldnt want jack to hear. Thats what i got out of it...

[*SP*]

I have a feeling they could be working for a different person than Minowski but that there's quite a bit of subterfuge going on. Abbadan (sp) evidently sent this team to the Island but his agenda is still unclear. Minowski seems to be in charge on the boat but what if he's being used. I think (and I have nothing to found this on really) that Minowski is under the employ of Penny to find the Island/Desmond but that Abbadan has sent his team undercover. I'm assuming Abbadan could be affiliated with Widmore who in turn are affiliated with Dharma or Hanso, and hence has been able to get 'some' information about the Island through the Penny link. He could have sent his team in there under the guise of looking for Des hence Naomi having the photo...provided by Minowski, while they actually have another primary objective...Ben. So Dessie gets back to the boat and subsequently off Island which would tie in with the theory that Penny's two men 'spotting' the Island could have been a flashforward and Desmond could have been in the bed with her. However I digress, I'm guessing Minowski is a little in the dark himself about the 'primary objective' and so they're avoiding contact for the time being. I'm not sure how Dan's experiment would tie in with that though...

[D-Roc]

Yeah, I think it's because Minkowski doesn't like Daniel doing all of his sciencey stuff when he's actually there for a very specific reason.

Like SP, I also believe that there's a bit of deception going on, although I personally think that Minkowski could infact be working for Ben - Ben's 'inside man', perhaps? Although granted it could easily be Michael or some as yet random person (or I could be wrong, it's just a hunch).

Eitherway, I think it's very important to notice that we haven't seen Minkowski yet - when we do it will be interesting to see whether he's on the up and up, or on the down and down.

[Reed]

You would think Minkowski would approve of science experiments especially if it means Daniel can prevent the Chopper going array when areturning to the ship. His experiment showed a time delay of 31 minutes which could mean something disastrous happening which he insinuated when talking to Frank.

I would imagine Frank said that to Daniel because Minkowski would give them a hard time in regard to hurrying up. I suppose he thought they would return sooner rather than hours later in light of the whole Charlotte fiasco. I do not think Minkowski would take too kindly to hearing one of his people was taken hostage and Daniel being a blabbermouth would no doubt tell him.

[misspiggy]

If you think back to 'confirmed dead', Minkowski got angry when he found out that Daniel was speaking to him on speaker phone.
I am assuming that the 4 freighties have been recruited for their abilities; Dan as a physicist, Charlotte as an anthropologist, Miles to deal with the paranormal activity on the island and Frank for his piloting ability.
Now, they have also been told to find Ben, but this was probably supposed to be Naomi's job which has been passed onto them now that she is dead.
I am assuming that rescuing the losties is definitely NOT part of their mission and Minkowski would not be happy if he found out that they had wasted lots of time making deals with the islanders. I am assuming that Minkowski is the only 'professional' left on the team and he is now struggling to keep the 4 freighties on the island 'on task'

[Reed]

Originally Posted by misspiggy

If you think back to 'confirmed dead', Minkowski got angry when he found out that Daniel was speaking to him on speaker phone.
I am assuming that the 4 freighties have been recruited for their abilities; Dan as a physicist, Charlotte as an anthropologist, Miles to deal with the paranormal activity on the island and Frank for his piloting ability.
Now, they have also been told to find Ben, but this was probably supposed to be Naomi's job which has been passed onto them now that she is dead.
I am assuming that rescuing the losties is definitely NOT part of their mission and Minkowski would not be happy if he found out that they had wasted lots of time making deals with the islanders. I am assuming that Minkowski is the only 'professional' left on the team and he is now struggling to keep the 4 freighties on the island 'on task'

One thing that strikes me is how were 4 people supposed to capture Ben, who presumably was protected by a whole population of people? Seems odd. You would think a team of 20 would be sent in, even that is stretching it quite frankly. So I do not think Naomi herself was responsible for Ben, as Miles is testament to that.

I was under the impression rescue WAS on the agenda, only it was not their main concern. But I do agree Minkowski would be annoyed that hours had passed just trying to find Charlotte.

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Reed

You would think Minkowski would approve of science experiments especially if it means Daniel can prevent the Chopper going array when areturning to the ship. His experiment showed a time delay of 31 minutes which could mean something disastrous happening which he insinuated when talking to Frank.

True, althought perhaps it's more of a general thing - as in Minkowski frowning upon Daniel taking his focus of what his precise mission is. It would seem that they knew of the time-delay upon entering/exiting the island, otherwise they wouldn't have the payload, so perhaps that is of less concern to the likes of Minkow right now? Although as you point out it does seem like a very critical aspect of the journey from the island.

I would imagine Frank said that to Daniel because Minkowski would give them a hard time in regard to hurrying up. I suppose he thought they would return sooner rather than hours later in light of the whole Charlotte fiasco.

Possibly, although I would expect that he would be aware that this would be a difficult mission, considering he knew of Naomi's plight (chopper crashing in water etc) ages before the freightie-4 were sent in

[Andy9283]

I think this Regina person has killed off Minkowski after the frieghties went to the island.
Surely this Minkowski fellow wud not make himself busy at the time his people land on the island he prob been searching for, for ages.
Just the way she says "Minkowski can't come to the phone right now"
Cos she killed him off.

I think that maybe these freighties have good intentions, but either a rouge element within them, or the organisation that hired them are using them.
OR
This Regina is the 'man' on the boat, and Minkowski needs to be got rid of.

P.S who's Abbadan?

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Andy9283

I think this Regina person has killed off Minkowski after the frieghties went to the island.
Surely this Minkowski fellow wud not make himself busy at the time his people land on the island he prob been searching for, for ages.
Just the way she says "Minkowski can't come to the phone right now"
Cos she killed him off.

My thoughts are that Minkowski is either Ben's inside man and was busy with something related to Ben..or that Michael was holding him at gunpoint - pointing to the idea that Mike is Ben's inside man. But you're right, there's definetly something to that..

I think that maybe these freighties have good intentions, but either a rouge element within them, or the organisation that hired them are using them.
OR
This Regina is the 'man' on the boat, and Minkowski needs to be got rid of.

Yeah, Regina is also a good shout..although i'm not sure about their overall intentions - I think they're perhaps a tad more 'knowing' than they've let on. Note Miles' response to Hugo asking if they were here to kill them:

"Not yet.."

Whilst he may have been ribbing Hugo, I am constantly reminded of Ben, Locke and Island Walt's ominous warnings. As you suggest, it does seem more likely that the 'suits' behind the Freighties, are the ones with the really bad intentions.

P.S who's Abbadan?

Matthew - the guy who visited Hugo and the mental hospital. He claimed to be an Oceanic rep.