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| Name=Fail-safe
 
| Name=Fail-safe
 
| Image=Fail_safe_1.jpg
 
| Image=Fail_safe_1.jpg
| FirstIntro={{ep|2x23}}
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| FirstIntro={{ep|2x23-24}}
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| LastSeen={{ep|2x23-24}}
 
| Owned=[[DHARMA Initiative]]
 
| Owned=[[DHARMA Initiative]]
| Found=[[Kelvin]]
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| Found=[[Kelvin Inman]]
| Used=[[Desmond]]
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| Used=[[Desmond Hume]]
 
}}The '''fail-safe''' was a mechanism in [[the Swan]] which, when triggered by the turn of a key, would terminate the [[electromagnetic]] buildup which the [[button]] was meant to discharge. The switch was located in a large crawlspace beneath the [[station]] accessible by one of a number of grates in the floor. [[Kelvin Inman]], drunk and looking for an escape from pushing the button, revealed the fail-safe to [[Desmond]], saying that it was the only other way out, and that turning the key would make it "all go away". {{crossref|2x23-24}}
}}
 
The '''fail-safe''' was a mechanism in [[the Swan]] which, when triggered by the turn of a key, would terminate the [[electromagnetic]] anomaly. The switch was located in a large crawlspace beneath the [[station]] accessible by one of a number of grates in the floor. [[Kelvin]], drunk and looking for an escape from pushing the button, revealed the fail-safe to [[Desmond]], saying that it was the only other way out, and that turning the key would make it "all go away". {{crossref|2x23}}
 
   
 
==Key==
 
==Key==
[[Image:Fail_Safe_Key.jpg|thumb|left|The fail-safe key on Kelvin's neck]]
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{{I|I=Fail_Safe_Key.jpg|w=200|a=left|c=[[Desmond]] retrieves the fail-safe key from [[Kelvin]]'s neck in {{crossref|2x23-24}}}}
On the [[September 22|day]] of the [[system failure]] coinciding with [[the crash]] of [[Flight 815]], Desmond acquired the fail-safe key by ripping it off of Kelvin's neck, after having accidentally killed him. The key was imprinted with the Swan's [[DHARMA Logos|logo]], and Desmond kept it inside his copy of ''[[Our Mutual Friend]]''. It is unknown how many [[DHARMA Initiative]] personnel were aware of the fail-safe, although it is highly likely at least [[Radzinsky]], as the station architect, was aware of its existence. {{crossref|2x23}}
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On the [[September 22|day]] of the [[system failure]] coinciding with [[the crash]] of [[Flight 815]], Desmond acquired the fail-safe key by ripping it off of Kelvin's neck, after having accidentally killed him. The key was imprinted with the Swan's [[DHARMA logos|logo]], and Desmond kept it inside his copy of ''[[Our Mutual Friend]]''. It is unknown how many [[DHARMA Initiative]] personnel were aware of the fail-safe, although it is highly likely at least [[Radzinsky]], as the station architect, was aware of its existence. {{crossref|2x23-24}} The Fail-safe device appeared to have some strange glowing light eminating from around the keyhole. It was possibly the same light from the electromagnetic pocket, similar to the heart of the island.
 
{{brclear}}
 
{{brclear}}
   
[[Image:DesmondwKey.jpeg|frame|Desmond turning the failsafe key under the Swan station.]]
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{{I|I=DesmondwKey.jpeg|w=200|a=right|c=[[Desmond]] turns the fail-safe key under the Swan station in {{crossref|2x23-24}}}}
   
 
==Activation==
 
==Activation==
After [[Locke]] caused another system failure by destroying the [[Station_3_Computer|computer]], Desmond retrieved the key and triggered the fail-safe mechanism, finally terminating the electromagnetic anomaly. This action resulted in the events of the [[discharge]], the complete destruction of the station and Desmond unstuck in time. {{crossref|2x23|3x08}}
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After [[Locke]] caused another system failure by destroying the [[Swan computer|computer]], Desmond retrieved the key and triggered the fail-safe mechanism, finally terminating the electromagnetic anomaly. This action resulted in the events of the [[discharge]], the complete destruction of the station, and Desmond becoming [[unstuck in time]]. {{crossref|2x23-24|3x03|3x08}}
   
[[Image:Failsafekeyreplica.JPG|thumb|right|An unofficial, common fan-made fail-safe key replica, a large number of which were once sold on eBay]]
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{{I|I=Failsafekeyreplica.JPG|w=200|a=left|c=An unofficial, common fan-made fail-safe key replica, a large number of which were once sold on eBay}}
   
  +
The producers later clarified that the turning of the key by Desmond prevented a potential "global catastrophe". {{crossref|Access: Granted|3xrc3}}
==Cultural references==
 
''Fail-Safe'' is a 1964 film directed by Sidney Lumet about a fictional Cold War nuclear crisis, and the US President's attempt to end it. The catch line on the original movie poster reads, "'Fail Safe' will have you standing on the brink of eternity!" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail-Safe_%281964_film%29]
 
   
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==Desmond himself as fail-safe==
== Reference in the ABC Show "Flashforward" ==
 
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According to [[Charles Widmore]], Desmond was a fail-safe himself, because of his unique resistance to electromagnetism. He was [[Jacob]]'s last resort in case [[the Man in Black]] managed to kill all of the [[candidates]] -- one final way to make sure that his brother would never leave the Island. {{Crossref|6x16}}
In the serie Flashforward, the planet blacked out for two minutes and seventeen seconds (2'17)
 
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It's exactly how long it takes for Desmond to turn the failsafe key after Locke lets the timer go down to the hieroglyphics in the episode "Live Together, Die Alone"
 
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==Trivia==
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*The key used for the prop was an Ilco ORION key.
   
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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==Unanswered questions==
 
==Unanswered questions==
 
{{NavMinor-Unanswered}}
 
{{NavMinor-Unanswered}}
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'''General'''
*Why didn't Desmond use the fail-safe when the computer was damaged in {{ep|2x03}}?
 
*What exactly took place when the fail-safe was activated?
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* What would have happened if Desmond actually never turned the fail-safe?
*What would have been the consequences if the key had not been turned?
 
   
{{Nav-Objects}}
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{{Nav-DHARMA}}
 
{{featured article}}
 
{{featured article}}
   
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[[it:Fail-safe]]
 
[[it:Fail-safe]]
 
[[Category:Items]]
 
[[Category:Items]]
[[Category:Unsolved]]
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[[Category:DHARMA Initiative]]

Latest revision as of 00:38, 21 January 2020

The fail-safe was a mechanism in the Swan which, when triggered by the turn of a key, would terminate the electromagnetic buildup which the button was meant to discharge. The switch was located in a large crawlspace beneath the station accessible by one of a number of grates in the floor. Kelvin Inman, drunk and looking for an escape from pushing the button, revealed the fail-safe to Desmond, saying that it was the only other way out, and that turning the key would make it "all go away". ("Live Together, Die Alone")

Key

Fail Safe Key

Desmond retrieves the fail-safe key from Kelvin's neck in ("Live Together, Die Alone")

On the day of the system failure coinciding with the crash of Flight 815, Desmond acquired the fail-safe key by ripping it off of Kelvin's neck, after having accidentally killed him. The key was imprinted with the Swan's logo, and Desmond kept it inside his copy of Our Mutual Friend. It is unknown how many DHARMA Initiative personnel were aware of the fail-safe, although it is highly likely at least Radzinsky, as the station architect, was aware of its existence. ("Live Together, Die Alone") The Fail-safe device appeared to have some strange glowing light eminating from around the keyhole. It was possibly the same light from the electromagnetic pocket, similar to the heart of the island.

DesmondwKey

Desmond turns the fail-safe key under the Swan station in ("Live Together, Die Alone")

Activation

After Locke caused another system failure by destroying the computer, Desmond retrieved the key and triggered the fail-safe mechanism, finally terminating the electromagnetic anomaly. This action resulted in the events of the discharge, the complete destruction of the station, and Desmond becoming unstuck in time. ("Live Together, Die Alone")  ("Further Instructions")  ("Flashes Before Your Eyes")

Failsafekeyreplica

An unofficial, common fan-made fail-safe key replica, a large number of which were once sold on eBay

The producers later clarified that the turning of the key by Desmond prevented a potential "global catastrophe". (Access: Granted)  ("Lost: The Answers")

Desmond himself as fail-safe

According to Charles Widmore, Desmond was a fail-safe himself, because of his unique resistance to electromagnetism. He was Jacob's last resort in case the Man in Black managed to kill all of the candidates -- one final way to make sure that his brother would never leave the Island. ("What They Died For")

Trivia

  • The key used for the prop was an Ilco ORION key.

See also


Unanswered questions

Unanswered questions
  1. Do not answer the questions here.
  2. Keep the questions open-ended and neutral: do not suggest an answer.
For fan theories about these unanswered questions, see: Fail-safe/Theories

General

  • What would have happened if Desmond actually never turned the fail-safe?