(*Lost*)

[Nucholza]

Originally Posted by rursusferre

No, i dont think its hell or anything like that. For Smokey it is hell in a sense, but I think they kept saying that because they were dealing with a more "primitive" time period. I guess the big thing we learned is that essential, the island is a prison for smokey. That seems to be its underlying purpose, and basically everything that has happened in the show is to make sure he stays there.

Right, but couldn't that be purgatory still? Purgatory is a place where you wait and be judged for your sins and you either redeem yourself or end up going to hell. Couldn't keeping Smokey from leaving the island be their test? Richard begged the priest for forgiveness for the murder he committed and the priest told him he wouldn't give him absolution and that Richard would have to earn it himself through penance, but that he wouldn't live long enough for that to happen. Then Jacob brings Richard to the island and give him the "gift" of living "forever". Then Isabella shows up and tells Hurley that they have to stop Smokey from leaving or else they'll be going to Hell.