Hatches—A Comparison

by Heather Myer

Group viewings of ABC’s LOST after Acoustic Night are a time honored tradition for Life Point’s young adults. LOST is not only good for learning clever nicknames, but also excellent for exploring bizarre links between Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the mysterious hatch. The hatch is buried in the midst of an island jungle where polar bears freely roam, mysterious wisps of smoke act as security systems, and children are readily abducted by the ‘Others.’

The hatch must have been inspired by an MRI. They both are large intimidating round objects. Equally mysterious to a first-time visitor, seemingly endless red numbers count time backwards on both devices. If a patient looks hard enough at the MRI, 4,8,15,16,23, and 42 can all been seen. Both contraptions have thunderous rumbling and beeping noises that leave the hearer half deaf despite pink ear plugs. The magnetic pull of an MRI causes a gentle tugging sensation, while the hatch caused Oceanic Flight 815 to fall from the sky.

One is strapped down during an MRI and must not move. Strangers to the hatch are either bound and gagged or doomed to an eternity of pressing a button. When told to type the numbers 4,8,15,16,23,42 into a computer every 108 minutes for the better part of Season 2, Dr. Jack Shephard sensibly objected. When told to remain perfectly still for 25 minutes during an MRI, all I could think of was how perfectly lovely a good kick into the air would feel.

A constant source of impending doom, the hatch could easily blow up an entire island. John Locke had faith that he was destined to be on the island for a purpose. He did not fully understand that purpose, but blindly believed his destiny was linked to the island and therefore the hatch. Over time, his faith waned. Locke did not have a clear purpose.

An MRI creates a panicked claustrophobia that is due in part to the bodily damage it might reveal and intensified by the machine‘s thundering noise. Knowing that I was destined to be at my appointment due to a distinct plan that my Father had for me, caused the panic to fade. Trust that no matter what the results might bear and faith the Holy Spirit would calm me, allowed my discomfort to pass. By meditating on him, the monstrous roar of the machine lessened. By singing praises unto him, 25 minutes without fidgeting quickly passed.

If only Locke’s faith had been in our Father rather than an uncharted island sustained by a magnetic explosive hatch! Unfortunately, fans of LOST must impatiently wait until Spring 2008 to discover what happens on the island. Thankfully, MRI results are available within 3-5 business days plus a doctor’s office call back.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. —Isaiah 12:2