Australia is the key to the whole game

[Wolstie]

When Locke, Hurley, and Sawyer are playing risk near the beginning of the episode, Hurley says

"Australia is the key to the whole game".

Was I the only one who thought this might be an allusion to the series as a whole? Seeing as the plane took off from Sydney, Australia

[D-Roc]

Yeah, i thought this was really interesting. At the time i thought it was an allusion to the island being close (in proximity) to Australia, but it could even have deeper conotations.

It also reminded me of Isaac and Ayrs rock - I recall Bernard taking Rose there to be healed. Isaac couldn't heal her but made reference to there being certian 'hotspots' elsewhere in the world. Seemingly he was referring to the island, although whether he knew specifically that he was referring to the island is another story.

But yes, it could also be an allusion to the Plane taking off from Oz...will the series end in Oz?

Also, has anyone played 'Risk'?

[Hordriss]

Originally Posted by Wolstie

When Locke, Hurley, and Sawyer are playing risk near the beginning of the episode, Hurley says

"Australia is the key to the whole game".

Was I the only one who thought this might be an allusion to the series as a whole? Seeing as the plane took off from Sydney, Australia

I wouldn't dismiss the possibility. The Risk game was fairly blatantly a signal that the theme of games was back in force - full force, as it becomes apparent that Ben and Widmore have been playing deadly game of life-and-death with rules known only apparently to them. Some have also noted that Widmore switches to an Australian accent rather than his faux-British accent in this episode, although that could just have been Alan Dale forgetting the character's nationality... which is not to say that Australia might not be significant to the wider plot. I am still eagerly awaiting a continuation of the story of Leonard, the listening post, and the Numbers (though I shan't hold my breath. The Numbers appear to have been brushed under carpet since Season 3, though I don't remember we had any proper answers about them).

[D-Roc]

Also, i found it interesting that Sawyer said: "I'm attacking Siberia" - could this have been an allusion to where Ben 'magic boxed' (teleported?) from?

[Wolstie]

Well Rocco in Risk

In the classic game of Risk, Australia has only one entry point which is connected with a dotted line that is typically in the same range as 325 degrees and you can mount an attack on the rest of the world by building up your armies in Australia and then slowly moving into and taking over Asia with a strong reinforced front.


So Australia in the game is very similar like the island in that way.

[D-Roc]

Some caps of the game:

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Wolstie

Well Rocco in Risk

In the classic game of Risk, Australia has only one entry point which is connected with a dotted line that is typically in the same range as 325 degrees and you can mount an attack on the rest of the world by building up your armies in Australia and then slowly moving into and taking over Asia with a strong reinforced front.


So Australia in the game is very similar like the island in that way.

Ahh, I see..so Australia is fairly isolated..or rather, difficult to access, which makes it good defensively and offensively..?

Cheers, that makes sense..a clever anaology from TPTB.

[firebreathingfishies]

Surely Locke should have whooped them all. Wasn't it Risk he used to play in the box company?

[Lauren [is Lost]]

Having the losties playing Risk was definately a reference to something. Although we must remember that Lost often has red herrings. However, i DO think it's relevant. "Australia is the key to the whole game" definately has to mean something...but what?! Lol. It is a very subtle hint, to be honest that could mean anything. It might be referring to the fact that the plane took off from Australia...but who knows
Lol, that comment was not much help, i know xD

[Malion]

I knew they were playing some sort of game with all the facial close ups... usually when a show does that during a serious argument the people are doing something rediculous like playing Scrabble or something.

Well... Risk is very interesting... I see that they have the 2005 version... prop error? Possibly.

I can't help but think of Seinfeld when I think of Risk... Kramer and Newman were playing on the subway because they didn't want to end their game. All Newman has was the Ukraine, which Kramer laughed at saying that Ukraine was a "weak" and worthless nation. A nearby Ukrainian hears them and gets offended, smashing their board.

Australia... could be an allusion to the Barracks, which hold a way to control Smokey, and is very difficult to enter without a code.