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TO1

Some prominent Others. From Left: Benjamin Linus, Bea Klugh, Tom, Alex and Danny Pickett

The Others are a group of people who have lived on the Island since before the crash of Oceanic Flight 815. Their origins and motives are currently unknown. They have been antagonistic to the survivors, warning them to stay away from certain areas of the Island and kidnapping Jack, Kate and Sawyer. They resided in a community on the Island and worked on a small second island nearby but have since abandoned both locations.

About the Others

Names

1x07 locke

"We're not the only people on this Island...and we all know it!"

Although they're known under various names ("Them", "Hostiles"), their current nickname - the Others - was coined by Danielle Rousseau when she claimed to Sayid that they had taken her daughter Alexandra 16 years prior. Rousseau, at the time she met Sayid, claimed she had never seen the people now known as the Others. She described the whispers as being the only contact she had with the Others. The term has since been claimed by both fans and writers as the unofficial name for the group. It is however worth noting that the term 'others' is entirely contextual; for example, it's been pointed out in the show that everyone is an 'other' to Rousseau in essence, as well as the Losties, who of course could be correctly referred to as 'others' by the Others. Further examples include:

  • Jin says to Sun, "Don't worry about the Others", referring to the other castaways. ("Pilot, Part 1")
  • On occasion, Jack also refers to other castaways as "the Others".
  • When Jin encounters the "Tailies," he calls them "Others." (This example may be a bit complicated, since Jin probably mistook them for the "real" Others.) ("Adrift")
  • Ana-Lucia refers to those who have been kidnapping her group not as "Others", but as "Them". (Since she had not met with any of the main group of survivors, she had not adopted Rousseau's name)
  • After Sun shoots Colleen in the chest causing her death, Danny holds all the Losties responsible, saying that "they did this". ("Every Man for Himself")
  • Desmond refers to a group as "the hostiles," which Kelvin mentioned in the Hatch ("Live Together, Die Alone, Part 1").
  • When Ben goes into surgery, Pickett says that Ben has just put his life in the hands of "one of them" ("I Do").
  • Mikhail Bakunin, while still pretending to be the last DHARMA initiative survivor, refers to a group as Hostiles. Later, Marvin Candle/Mark Wickmund, in the video recording at the Flame Station, also refers to a group of people whom the initiative were at war with as Hostiles. ("Enter 77")

In the Official Lost Podcast/March 20, 2007 it is confirmed that the Hostiles are the same as the Others. It has been confirmed by Damon Lindelof that there is more than one faction within the Others.

Kidnappings

Main article: Lists
MichaelsPaper

The list given to Michael

Claire was abducted by Ethan for the purpose of obtaining Aaron. Charlie was also taken with Claire, but he was hanged in circumstances not yet totally explained and later revived by Jack and Kate. Charlie later murdered the Other responsible for Claire's abduction. Walt was taken seemingly because he had talents in which the Others were very interested but also because Ben was interested in manipulating Michael. ("Live Together, Die Alone, Part 1") ("Exposé")

In a matter of two weeks, 12 of the Tailies were taken from their camp by the Others. Three Others were killed by the Tailies during these abductions. Cindy, another Tailie, disappeared later. ("The Other 48 Days") No guns were used by the Others in any of these abductions. Cindy and some of the people taken were later shown to be living among the Others. Cindy seemed to be full member of their community.

Michael was lured into a trap by the Others using Walt as bait. Ben intended to use Michael to capture Jack, Kate and Sawyer long before he was captured by the Losties. ("Exposé") Michael eventually made a deal with the Others where he would lure people into a trap where they would be abducted and free Ben. In exchange, Walt would be freed. Michael also demanded that he be given a boat on which he and Walt could leave the Island. Michael, on his own initiative, murdered two people in the course of freeing Ben. Afterward he led Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sawyer into a trap. The Others kept Jack, Kate and Sawyer captive at the Hydra, but allowed Hurley to return as a messenger when they were at the Pala Ferry. Michael and Walt were given a boat and left the Island. ("Three Minutes")  ("Live Together, Die Alone, Part 1")

Armed confrontations

In the initial interactions between the Others and the Losties, the Others did not carry guns. An Other woman killed by Ana-Lucia had a military knife in her pocket which was not used. Ethan knocked out Jin with a slingshot. Their behavior seemed to change after Ethan was killed by Charlie with a handgun and seemed to become even more pronounced after the Losties gained control of the armory at the Swan.

The first armed confrontation occurred when Tom took Walt from the raft. Shots were exchanged between Sawyer and the Others but Sawyer was only shot in the shoulder. The Others also employed a crude grenade to destroy the raft. ("Exodus, Part 2")

The second armed confrontation occurred after Michael was captured by the Others attempting to recover Walt. A group led by Jack followed Michael's trail and was confronted by a group of Others led by Tom. Tom told them that they had a reached a line and warned them against crossing it. Alex among the Others said at the time that that purpose of the action was to scare Jack and those with him. ("The Hunting Party")

The third armed confrontation occured as Michael was leading Jack and several other people into a trap. Sawyer discovered one of the Others following their party and shot him dead. The Other employed Tasar-like devices to incapacitate the members of the party. ("Live Together, Die Alone, Part 1")

The fourth armed confrontation occured aboard the sailboat. Sun was left on the boat while Sayid planned to ambush the Others in the jungle and hopefully capture two so they could be tortured for information. A party of Others including Colleen boarded the boat to seize it on Ben's orders. Colleen went below deck. She was confronted by Sun and did not appear to be armed. After attempting to calm Sun down by talking, Sun shot Colleen in the chest and made her escape under fire from other members of the party on the boat. ("The Glass Ballerina")

In the fifth armed confrontation, Sayid was shot by Mikhail in the shoulder when he approached The Flame station. Eventually, an armed standoff with hostages on both sides developed. Bea, being held by Sayid, told Mikhail to simply shoot her which he did. Mikhail after what appeared to be failed attempt to kill himself as well, was taken prisoner and eventually murdered by Locke. ("Enter 77")

In the sixth armed confrontation, Sayid and Kate were captured at the barracks. Both were quickly overpowered after being detected. No shots were fired. Locke took Ben and Alex hostage, destroyed the submarine with explosives and then surrendered himself to the Others. ("The Man from Tallahassee")

False accusations

The Others have on numerous occasions been falsely accused of actions against the crash survivors. Charlie kidnapped and beat Sun on orders from Sawyer resulting in the Others being afterwards accused. Locke blamed the Others for burning the first raft in front of the entire group even though he suspected and later confirmed that Walt was responsible. Ana-Lucia blamed the death of Goodwin who she had killed on the Others and did not reveal to anyone that he was one of the Others. The majority of the group also likely believes that the Others killed Libby and Ana-Lucia rather than Michael. The presence of a walkie among their effects led certain people at the camp (including Sawyer) to falsely assume that Nikki and Paulo were working for the Others.

Ways of living

Main article: the Barracks
3X01 TheOthersOtherville

Juliet, Ben and the other Others watch the crash at the Barracks.

It was first presumed that the Others are "savages" and "hillbillies". However, in Season 2, this proved to be part of an elaborate illusion; Kate discovered a locker containing a fake beard and DHARMA branded theatrical glue. ("Maternity Leave") Later, Tom appeared a couple times without his beard, ("Maternity Leave" and "Live Together, Die Alone, Part 1").
Upon his return, Michael claimed that there are only about 22 Others, most of them old and/or women, who lived on huts in miserable conditions like the crash survivors, and fed on dried fish; this is part of the facade. ("Two for the Road") Walt said that the Others are "pretending," and that "they're not who they say they are." ("Three Minutes")

Minor Others

Some Others, looking like "savages"

The fact that the Others are more civilized than they appear was hinted at in Season 2, but was revealed explicitly in the Season 3 premiere; the Others live in a small idyllic town inside of a crater.("A Tale of Two Cities") They have access to guns, tasers, explosives, a bolas, U.S. army knives, a submarine, a yacht, a motor boat which they gave to Michael, and Desmond's sailboat (which they took from the Losties).

On December 12, 2004, all the Others along with John Locke left the Barracks for an unknown location. Some were seen carrying packs. Juliet was left behind. She and a group of Losties were gassed by the Others but left within the perimeter of the Barracks. John Locke made a case for allowing Kate to accompany the Others, but the request was turned down because of her personal history, saying that "forgiveness isn't their strong suit." ("Left Behind")

There seems to be extensive audio and video surveillance in certain areas of the Barracks where the Others live. Tom indicates the game room where Kate is held and speaks to Jack is under surveillance. The house where Jack is temporarily staying is equipped with video cameras which were carefully monitored.

Ben's house did not seem to be monitored. Locke was able to enter the house without being detected. He was also able to move hostages to different areas of the house including the kitchen. The full extent of the monitoring at the Barracks is not known. ("The Man from Tallahassee")

Leadership

Main article: Leadership
3X05 BenJuliet

A struggle for power between Ben and Juliet.

Juliet makes multiple references to democracy and equality as important values that she and the other Others live by, both in the opening scenes of season three (the book club) as well as in her many talks with Jack. But it is unclear if the values of their community are reflected in how it is actually run.

Ben is the community's leader and has the charisma and power to make people follow him, but there is an ongoing struggle between him and Juliet. In her video, Juliet told Jack that "some of us want change". She also said that Ben "is a liar" and "very dangerous". Juliet suggests there are two "political" groups within the Others - Juliet’s and Ben's. Juliet has also shown herself to be utterly ruthless in proposing to Jack that they murder Ben on the operating table. ("A Tale of Two Cities")  ("The Cost of Living")

Isabel was referred to as the "sheriff." by Tom. She came to Hydra Island after Juliet killed Danny Pickett and investigated the situation. The killing of one Other by another Other was treated as a very serious situation. When Jack later claimed that Juliet had attempted to get him to kill Ben, her situation was made worse. Their justice system was described as based on an "eye for an eye" indicating harsh penalties. Juliet was taken in private before a meeting of the Others. The details of the meeting are unknown but most assumed that Juliet that would receive the death penalty. Ben was able to intervene within the context of whatever rules governed the situation and reduce her penalty from death to being marked with an interverted eight-point cross symbol. The meeting was consistant with the Others being run by some sort of collective decision-making process and Ben having some sort of defined official position. ("Stranger in a Strange Land")

Since Juliet was left behind when the Others vacated the Barracks, it is likely that the judgement against her and the marking of her imply some sort of punishment or exclusion from the community of the Others. ("Left Behind")

However, Ben is only a subordinate compared to his superior (possibly Jacob), who is often referred as only "he" or "him". He is described as a magnificant and brilliant man, but not a forgiving one.

Good People

Main article: Good and bad people
Normal maternity-promo18

Ethan tells Claire that the Others are good people.

The concept of Goodness seems to be very important to the Others as they themselves claim to be good people even after kidnapping and killing various castaways. This sets up an odd paradox, as Benjamin told Locke he was one of the "good ones", and implied that other Losties (i.e. Jack, Kate) were not "good" and they are the ones who were taken. The Others seem to only abduct those they believe to be "good people" and who are on a list. However, it should be noted that Ethan abducted Claire, who was pregnant at the time, without completing a list, and it is implied by Alex that the Others plan to keep the baby and dispose of Claire. While Alex implies that they intend to dispose of Claire, that would be inconsistent with their other shown behavior.

The Others seem to have a process where a case can be made that a particular person is a "good" person. Ben indicates that Goodwin attempted this for Ana-Lucia. Later Locke attempts to convince them that Kate is a good person but fails because of "what she has done" and because they don't believe in forgiveness.


Connection with DHARMA

Mikhail Bakunin, an Other, was put in charge of "the Flame" communications station of the DHARMA Initiative for the Others. In performing that task, he wore the clothing of the DHARMA Initiative, and pretended to be the last member of the DHARMA team on the Island. When Sayid and his expedition discovered the Flame, Mikhail told them that all personnel of the Initiative died in a war with the "Hostiles", known as "the purge". Mikhail claimed he arrived on the Island around 1993 by submarine. He also mentioned that the Hostiles have been on the Island for a very long time.("Enter 77")

Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse confirmed in the March 20, 2007 official podcast that the the DHARMA crew members referred to the Others as "Hostiles".

Pregnancy Issues

The women among the Others suffer from degeneration of their reproductive systems, making it impossible for them to have children under normal circumstances. The condition was described as causing the reproductive system of a woman in her 20s to look like those of a woman in her 70s.

Juliet, a fertility researcher, was brought to the Island because she had discovered an effective treatment that allows women with damaged reproductive systems to become pregnant. She succeeded allowing women among the Others to become pregnant, but another condition appeared during the pregnancy. The women's bodies had immune reaction against the fetus leading to the death of both early in pregnancy.

After the deaths of several volunteers among the Others, including Sabine, Juliet developed a theory that whatever went wrong in the pregnancy might be occuring at conception. She asked Ben if she could take a woman off the Island as a control case to test the theory, but he refused to allow anyone to leave the Island. Claire, who arrived on the island pregnant, became their control case.

The nature of the fertility and pregnancy problems on the island has not been revealed. When these conditions emerged on the Island is also unknown. It is unknown whether the Others' experiments and the disease that affects pregnant women on the Island are related to the healing properties of the Island, the curing of Rose and Locke, the sickness, or the quarantine.

Members


Below is a list of all of the Others that have been introduced into the show.
For a list of Others background cast, see Background cast (Others background)

Picture Name Role Overview
MaleMini
Jacob Leader Authored a list of names. According to Danny, "Shephard wasn't even on Jacob's list." Also possibly directly referenced in the Room 23 video. Confirmed as the leader in a podcast.
Henry GaleMini
Benjamin Linus (aka the fake Henry Gale) Prominent High-ranking, administrative member of the Others, appears to direct most of the their common affairs. Taken captive by the mid-section losties and eventually freed by Michael. Had a tumor on his spine, which was later removed by Jack, in exchange for presumably getting off the Island. Known by the Others as Alex's father.
JulietMini
Juliet Burke Prominent Fertility doctor. Had some degree of authority in the past, though subordinate to and antagonistic relation with Ben. Has been on the Island for over 3 years, 2 months and 28 days. Interrogated Jack. Shot Danny and helped Kate, Sawyer and Karl to escape in exchange for being allowed to go "home"; was sentenced to be executed but instead was "marked" as punishment. Was sent on an undercover O-Mission to infiltrate the survivors at the beach. The ruse given to the Losties was that she was left behind when the Others left the Barracks indicating that they may no longer consider her one of them. Previously had an affair with Goodwin prior to the crash.
Mini-TomFriendly
Tom (aka Mr. Friendly) Prominent Appears to be a spokesman/enforcer of the Others. Has some degree of authority. Used to wear a fake beard during his encounters with the mid-section losties.
IsabelMini
Isabel Prominent Was referred to as "the sheriff" by Tom. She seems to be right under Ben in the Others' hierarchy. Investigated Danny's murder case, and decided to execute Juliet, but was stopped by Ben. Left the Hydra Island with the rest of the Others. She speaks Cantonese (though with a poor accent).
AR1Mini
Alexandra Rousseau Prominent Danielle Rousseau's kidnapped daughter. While raised by the Others, Alex's actions indicate she's willing to undermine the actions of the Others; this includes her interest in what happened to Karl. Has a love interest in Karl. Was raised by Ben as his daughter and told her mother was dead.
Mini-Karl
Karl Escaped Was imprisoned in the Hydra cages, and was later moved to Room 23. Has a love interest in Alexandra Rousseau. He escaped the Hydra Island with Kate and Sawyer.
Alpert mini
Richard Alpert Prominent Recruited Juliet saying he worked for Mittelos Bioscience. He was also seen on the Island, and is very trusted by Ben as he is allowed to hear the conversation between him and Locke, and is also allowed to travel to the outside world and come back.
AmeliaOtherPortal
Amelia Minor A member of Juliet's Book Club.
AdamOtherPortal
Adam Minor A member of the book club, appears to be extremely loyal to Ben.
Aldomini
Aldo Minor Guards part of the Hydra facility. Was reading "A Brief History of Time" before he was attacked by Kate, Sawyer and Alex.
MaleMini
Brian Minor He radioed Colleen to inform her and the rest of the Others that the losties have a sailboat.
Mini Ivan
Ivan Minor Seen in medical garb in the Hydra operating room, chasing Kate and Sawyer in "Not in Portland", and other action sequences in Season 3.
JasonOtherPortal
Jason Minor An Other who appears to be some kind of a bodyguard. He assisted Matthew while injecting something to Sawyer, accompanied Ben and Sawyer on their journey, guarded Jack while he attended Colleen's funeral and went with Pickett to Sawyer's cage. He was chasing Kate and Sawyer after they escaped their cages.
MatthewOtherPortal
Matthew Minor Administers an injection into Sawyer's chest.
Mini Luke
Luke Minor Was at the quarry and was seen talking to Juliet. He was later elbowed by Sawyer in his escape attempt.
Pryce mini
Ryan Pryce Minor Seems to hold a bit of influence over the policing of The Others' community. He was put in charge of supervising Sayid while he was bound to the swingset, and attempted to shut Sayid up when he began divulging information about Alex's mother to her.
Sabine
Sabine Deceased Sabine was one of the women among the Others who volunteered to become pregnant, even though she knew it was a risk. Despite the best efforts of Juliet, her body turned on her pregnancy. Ethan attempted surgery to save either her or her baby, but she died during the operation. Ben later attempted to console Juliet by telling her that Sabine was the one who chose to become pregnant.
EthanOtherPortal
Ethan Rom Deceased Murdered by Charlie. Pretended to be one of the mid-section survivors; kidnapped Claire and Charlie in order to obtain Aaron. He met Juliet before arriving on the Island, and seemed to be part of the Mittelos Bioscience laboratory. Ben tells Jack that he was a surgeon.
GoodwinMini
Goodwin Deceased Killed by Ana-Lucia. Infiltrated the tail section survivors. Prior to this O-Mission, he was in a relationship with Juliet.
Pickett1Mini
Danny Pickett Deceased He does not seem to be an authority figure, although he is foreman on the rock clearing operation. Married to Colleen, who calls him 'Danny'. He took Colleen's death at the hands of Sun badly and took out his anger on Sawyer. Pickett was killed by Juliet when he was attempting to kill Sawyer in "Not in Portland". Juliet had made a deal with Ben to leave the Island but the deal required that Kate and Sawyer escape.
Mini-Colleen
Colleen Pickett Deceased Shot in the chest by Sun in Desmond's boat when the Others took the boat from the Pala Ferry pier. She appeared to be unarmed and was trying to talk Sun out of any violent action. Jack and Juliet were trying to save her in the Hydra's medical section, but her life couldn't be saved. Married to Danny.
Mini-MsKlugh
Bea Klugh Deceased Killed by Mikhail at her own request. Made a deal with Michael to free Benjamin Linus. Had some degree of authority.
Mikhail face
Mikhail Bakunin Deceased Other who was stationed at The Flame, and was in charge of communications. Killed Bea Klugh on her order; then was captured and held in the custody of Locke, Sayid, Kate, and Danielle Rousseau. He was murdered by Locke who pushed him into the Other's security perimeter. However, the show's producers hint that Mikhail could potentially still be alive.
MaleMini
Many people in the Other's boat, following Walt's rescue party, abducting the tailies, at the decoy village, at the quarry, at the Pala Ferry, in the Staff, stealing the Elizabeth, at the cages, at the beach leaving Hydra Island, and at the Barracks. Background (unnamed) These are Others that are currently extras and are not significant to the storyline.

Body count among unnamed Others background cast: (Two killed by Eko, one killed by Ana-Lucia, one killed by Sawyer).

See Background cast (Others background) for recurring extras.

Trivia

  • Lost producer Damon Lindelof said of the Others "...they eat chicken, they wear clothes out of the J. Crew catalog"

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: The Others/Theories
  • Who are the Others?
  • Is Ben their leader or is there a higher force present?
  • Why are the Others so unwilling to explain themselves openly to the Losties?
  • Where did the Others originate?
  • Did the Others kill Henry Gale?
  • Why did Ben downplay the Swan Station and encourage Locke to let the timer run down?
  • Why don't the Others understand the discharge?
  • Why don't the Others understand the Monster? What happened when they encountered it before?
  • What is their link to Mittelos Bioscience?
  • Why do they not leave any tracks?
  • Why did they take so many of the Tailies, but hardly any of the main castaways?
  • Is there an organization separate of the Hanso Foundation/DHARMA Initiative that recruits for the Others on the outside?
  • Why was the dispute between the DHARMA Initiative and the Others known as "the purge"? How did it originate?
  • Why do they have information about the Losties' lives before the crash?
  • Where have they moved to, having left the Barracks?
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