One of the reasons I’m stuck to watching this show is — as Ivey just mentioned in an email earlier — to find out if my time traveling theory pans out. As far as this episode goes, there were a few things that supported the theory (I won’t say “my” theory, because I’m sure others have had the same), and there were some that made me question it.
First, let’s talk about the supporting evidence. The clearest moment in this episode came when Thomas notes, back in the ’40s, that they’re “still using vacuum tubes” for the radio. It’s very hard for me to believe that these people are aliens that just so happen to have used vacuum tubes at one time, so they know what they are. This was a big “ah hah!” moment for me, though it does raise one doubt that I’ll get into later.
The other bit of evidence came from that same flashback sequence. Thomas makes several mentions that this place they’re in is not an intended destination on whatever trip they were taking. He notes to Simon that they are trapped where they are, and that they’re not “going home.” So if these are aliens that crash landed on Earth mistakenly, why would they not only speak fluent English, but speak it when alone together? Makes no sense, unless it just means they never meant to stay.
Now let’s get to the holes in my theory. The fact that vacuum tubes were mentioned doesn’t necessarily mean The Othɘrs are from the future. Another theory out there is that these people are from an alternate dimension, which could account for the language and mentions of similar technology. The other glaring hole was during the mention of The Manhattan Project, said by Thomas as though hearing about it for the first time. Could it be that people from the future really lost that major piece of history?
Speaking of The Manhattan Project, that was a neat little bit thrown into the story. The fact that Thomas was a major reason for nuclear technology happening before, say, 1960 or 1970 … that’s either pretty cool or, I guess, corny. I’m going with cool for now.
Something that bugged me in this episode: why didn’t Vickie just kill Leila after Sean called and said he was on his way? That was way too convenient to the story and, as far as I can tell, made no sense. Also, Vickie could have easily just told the man on the roof to take Sean out once he sent that MMS to her phone. Sure, she said they should “be discrete,” but once something like that comes up, all bets are off. I’m sure her bosses would have rather had her finish that job than to make sure things on the deserted street were left quiet and spiffy. True, she could have had second thoughts about what she was about to do, based on those flashbacks to five years ago … but they were FIVE YEARS AGO. Why would those memories come back at such a convenient time?
Something else I didn’t like: it was stupid to release Sophia before the antidote was checked. How dumb would they all have felt if Sophia was let loose and the antidote was basically a vial of water?
Something I did really like: President Martinez is a badass.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Oct 18, 2010 @ 22:40 EST5EDT
About the Manhattan Project, I thought it meant that in their “history”, the US didn’t develop nuclear technology in the 40s. But, because he was there, he helped them to do it. When the other guy mentioned that the country was at war and imagine what they would use the tech for, that led me to believe that the bombs were never dropped in WWII in their history.
The President said he would kill all the other prisoners if the antidote was fake. I think that was enough insurance for him. Plus, they tagged Sophia so they could follow her to catch Thomas.
I am enjoying The Event. Very glad to hear it got a full season pick up!
You use too much sense on this show, just shut your brain off at 9 and don’t turn it on until you change the channel.
I hope that little Adam is not somehow “special”.
I still like time travel too (my traveling from a high tech civilization of the past might be blown), but picking up on alternate dimension thought, what if this is not our earth but Sophia and crew are from our earth? Dunno, I do like the mystery of it all.
Oh, and I disagree about Martinez, he bugs me, but I never like to see Presidents in shows, that’s part of the reason 24 was a struggle. Sorry Dorv, I only watched 2 seasons of The West Wing for that reason. Don’t hate me! :)
I couldn’t hate you, BSG, for having horrible tastes.. Its just something we’d need to work on :)
To me, the littlest clues are the biggest. The moment that Sophia took when she got out of the truck to look at the sun through the trees is the one that jumps out at me.
I’m not sure what to think about Nikki. She’s easily the most interesting character on the show (Which, as we’ve stated time and time again isn’t say much). I don’t necessarily mind how the flashback’s showed what she’d been through to get where she’s at.
It is ironic that BSG referenced 24, too, because the feel of the show, specifically tone and the cinematography, remind me so much of S1/S2 of 24 (and not in a good way…)
*POST AUTHOR*
Nikki? You mean Vickie, right?
Not sure what you mean about the moment she looks at the sun. What did that tell you?
I don’t think we can know what it means yet, but they wanted us to see it. Perhaps she has not been outside in x number of years or maybe some catastrophe happens w/ the sun wherever, whenever she comes from.
I really hope that nothing too important is being uttered by the president, because just like in 24 his parts are partially fast forwarded by me. I press ff and say, “Blah, blah, blah, wishy, washy president speak.”
re: time travelers theory – this would explain why they don’t age at all (they won’t begin aging until they catch up with the time when they jumped to the past (1940’s). I know it’s rather simplistic, but then, that’s tv for you.