What The Ghosts Are Saying

After the season premiere, I feel like I need to watch the entire series again with this solidified idea of short, sporadic time travel in-mind. This could be an explanation for any unusual acts… do they act out-of-character because they've been to/seen the future?

This also adds a new dimension to the "ghosts" of Lost. Darlton have always been ambiguous when answering questions regarding the dead people sightings. They're always conveniently unclear, never giving a concrete answer— are these people dead? Are the people who see them crazy and hallucinating? Well it now seems that the loose outline of an explanation is taking shape. These "ghosts" are possibly past instances of the presently deceased. A concept which frankly makes my head spin.

Let's see what we know about ghosties:
1. They're abnormally calm, cool and collected. They always seem to be on top of things and have just a hint of all-knowingness about them.

2. They're lookin' good. They appear to be restored to their former glory, unscathed with fancy haircuts and clean clothes.

3. They offer mildly cryptic advice. Lately the advice to the Oceanic 6 is paving the way back to the island.

I should note, Claire is an exception to all of these. In her strange appearances, she is at once calm but dirty from a jungle trek and dawning a bandage on her head. In another scene she looks cleaned up but frantic, demanding that Kate not take Aaron back to the island. I guess that makes sense since we don't know whether she's alive, dead or somewhere in between!

Also, I totally just realized that the song "Dream Police" is playing in the convenience store when Hurley is buying his t-shirt. Hmm.

Have you noticed any other ghostly qualities?
Check out lostpedia's page on the ghosties.