Let Richard Alpert Serve As Your Island Guide

“What lies in the shadow of the statue?” This is one of the most important question introduced in season five of LOST. Richard Alpert has the answer. In case you missed it in the season finale, you can consult his bobblehead, where the correct response is all spelled out for you in thin black letters atop a jungle-print base with the enigmatic character’s name on the front. The five all-important words: “Ille qui nos omnes servabit.” Which is very helpful if you happen to speak Latin. If you don’t, some further investigation is warranted...

I know what lies in the shadow of the statue. But that’s all I’ll say on the matter. Now, allow me to discuss the beauteous specimen that is Richard Alpert, the soft-spoken, rarely rattled, apparently ageless Other who was first introduced in the third season. Back then, though he seemed all politeness and decency, I was wary of him. After all, he was teamed up with Ethan, who also seemed pretty affable, and we all know what kind of shenanigans he got up to back on the Island. Mostly, though, I got the sense that he orchestrated Juliet’s ex-husband getting hit by a bus. And while he was obnoxious, I can’t condone those sorts of persuasive tactics.

I’m not sure now whether Richard caused the accident, but even if he did, I have ultimately decided to put my trust in this advisor who seems to know a lot more about what’s going on than almost anybody else on the Island, though this may not actually be the case. In his various appearances over the seasons, he has shown himself again and again to be reasonable and diplomatic, only resorting to violence when he deems it unavoidable - and not having the power to veto bad decisions his leaders might make. I applaud Nestor Carbonell for helping ensure that Richard’s story is one of the most compelling mysteries to be solved in season six. My understanding is that the show will shed some light soon. I can hardly wait.

Richard, it would appear, is a Man of Faith, to an even greater degree than John Locke. At the same time, he has been known to manipulate various characters over the years, particularly when he suggested to John that he have Sawyer kill Anthony Cooper. It seems that he’s probably given as many nudges in a particular direction as almost anyone on the show. But I don’t think that makes him a bad guy. In this bobblehead, he stands with a torch in hand, which brings to mind notions of illumination and, for me, of angels. Richard, I think, occupies a similar role in the show’s mythology.

Including the base, he stands nearly seven inches tall. He wears dark brown shoes, light brown pants and a gray button-up shirt, along with a brown belt. He rather resembles an outback adventurer. Actually, come to think of it, he kinda looks like Survivor host Jeff Probst, standing there with one arm at his side, another carrying the torch aloft - ready to banish someone from the Island?

Nestor’s arresting eyes have inspired much debate among viewers since his first appearance. They are so heavily lidded that it looks as though he is wearing eyeliner. Could he be? According to Entertainment Weekly, no. But boy, does he have distinctive eyes, and distilled into a mildly cartoonish three-dimensional figure, Richard almost looks like he picked up a trick pair of binoculars and hasn’t bothered to wash off the resulting ink yet. His hair is neat, his eyebrows are thick, and his face wears a placid expression. He’s an impressive sight.

He doesn’t speak, though having that phrase painted on the base is almost as good as having words come out of his mouth. I sent him off to school with my dad, a college professor, in hopes he might inspire some interesting conversations. Cool points to any students who realize what show Richard is from without sneaking a peek at the back of the base. Double cool points to anyone who knows what question he is answering, or what the answer means.

Richard Alpert has proven to be one of LOST‘s most fascinating characters, and I expect that after we’ve discovered everything there is to learn about him, he will seem even cooler. Here’s to you, Ricardus. Live long and prosper - but then that’s a blessing that seems to have worked its will upon you already...