Oldham/Theories

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Theories about Oldham

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Theories may be removed if ...

Stated as questions or possibilities (avoid question marks, "Maybe", "I think", etc). More appropriate for another article. Illogical or previously disproven. Proven by canon source, and moved to main article. Speculative and lacking any evidence to support arguments. Responding to another theory (use discussion page instead). This does not include responses that can stand alone as its own theory. Usage of an indented bullet does not imply the statement is a response. See the Lostpedia theory policy for more details.

OLDHAM seems to be the DHARMA "Shaman" - this could be an important role in the DHARMA communal lifestyle, as it is in indigenous tribal populations the world over. Traditionally, a shaman lives away from the village a bit, and does not engage the community in traditional ways. He tends to be viewed with some fear, apprehension and respect - usually one only goes to see the shaman when something is very wrong. He knows plant medicines, psychedelics, and communes frequently with the spirit world.

Oldham pharmaceuticals

While exiting the building where Sayid has killed Ivan Andropov, he walks through the door reading "Oldham Pharmaceuticals" written in Russian transliteration. Probably this is the reference to Oldham.

Therefore, Oldham could found the organization named as said above (after he leaves the Island), Andropov could be in charge of this organization (after Oldham's death?) and could know about the island from Oldham. This could be the reason for him to be dead. Anyway, it's a trifle, and since it was the last person in the Linus's list of enemies, it's logically clear that his death was not really obligatory - Ben could have given this job to Sayid just for him to have some fun.

His job forces himself to live outside of Dharmaville

• Oldham's job goes against the DHARMA Initiative's hippie beliefs yet his job is necessary for their protection. He chooses to isolate himself rather than live in a society... much like Sayid tried to do after he tortured Sawyer in season one. Oldham's fate is Sayid's fate. Sayid will always have to make the hard choices to keep everyone safe and will always be shunned for it. He will live out his days alone.
  • Oldham's job as an interrogator makes him to do things that many DHARMA Initiative members would find disgusting, or distrubing. These things create an aura of fear, which is why he chose solitude. Besides, to be the interrogator you must have violent tendencies (which are clearly not social), and that is why both Horace and LaFleur refer to him as a frantic person.