Libby (Lost)
Template:Infobox Lost character Elizabeth, commonly known as "Libby," is a fictional character in the ABC television series Lost and is played by Cynthia Watros. She appears in 18 episodes of the second season of the series. As of the end of Season 3, she is the only main character not to have a centric episode, though it should be noted that a flashback at the end of the episode "Dave" was focused on her.
Appearances
Backstory
Little is currently known about Libby's life prior to the plane crash. Up to three years before, Libby encounters Desmond at a café, where she kindly pays for his coffee. Upon learning that he will be competing in a sailing competition, Libby adamantly offers him her boat, given to her by her late husband, David (the boat is even named the Elizabeth).
At a later point in time, Libby is institutionalized at the Santa Rose Mental Institute. Her stay coincided, at least in part, with Hurley, whom she recognizes much later on in time.
Libby has visited Vermont, where she broke her leg in a skiing incident while chasing a "cute ski patrol guy." She attended medical school for a year before dropping out to become a clinical psychologist. Prior to boarding the doomed flight, she intervenes when Mr. Eko argues with Charlotte Malkin, and moves on when the situation is settled. She is seated in the tail-section of the plane.
Life on the island
Libby lands with the tail-section survivors in the ocean, just off the shore of the island. She immediately tends to the injured, using her limited knowledge from studying as a doctor. She is subordinate to survivor Ana Lucia, and regularly gives her advice. Libby soon buries Donald, the man she tried to help on the first day. When the Others invade the camp, Libby finds herself as one of the few remaining survivors. The group relocate to the jungle, where Libby grows concerned when Ana Lucia suspects a traitor in the group. They soon discover the Arrow station, where they discover boxes full of unused items, among them being a radio. One morning, while Libby is on the beach with Cindy, they discover Jin washed up on shore. Unsure of what to do, they take him to Ana Lucia, who has him tied to a tree. Soon after, Jin, Michael and Sawyer are thrown into the pit. Libby is the only person to openly involve herself with them when they prove their innocence.
Libby goes fruit-picking with Michael prior to migrating with the fuselage survivors. She reports to Ana Lucia when he runs off, and joins them as they press on without him. Libby tends to Sawyer's open bullet wound, up until he passes out. Shortly after Cindy disappears from the group, Libby witnesses Ana Lucia shooting and killing Shannon. At this point, Libby's faith in Ana Lucia's leadership is shattered, and refuses to tie up Sayid, instead pleading with her to let them move on to the beach. She eventually joins the fuselage survivors. Since arriving, Hurley takes an instant liking to her, and the two bond. When told that she is familiar, Libby tells Hurley that he stepped on her foot prior to the plane departing, but the look on her face says otherwise. Soon after, Libby helps Claire unblock her repressed memories from when she was kidnapped.
Libby and Hurley's relationship is strained when Hurley begins seeing things and acting strangely. Helping him earlier that day with ridding himself of his secret food stash, Libby again offers her services to make Hurley see sense when he tries to throw himself off a cliff. The next day, Hurley plans a surprise picnic for Libby, but forgets to bring a blanket. Libby offers to retrieve them for him, and heads into the hatch. Once inside, she hears the sound of gunfire, and walks in on Michael, startling him and causing him to shoot her twice in the abdomen. Libby falls unconscious, but awakens in critical condition. Jack administers heroin to ease her pain. With her dying breath, Libby coughs out Michael's name, but this attempt to expose her killer is mistaken for concern of his well-being. She dies with Hurley at her bedside, and is buried next to Ana Lucia.
Days later, Hurley visits Libby's grave and expresses how much he misses her before leaving a flower on her grave.
Character notes
Backstory
The producers have said that Libby's backstory would be explored through a flashback in the third season. However, the character did not appear that season. It has been confirmed that the missing pieces of Libby's backstory will be revealed in the fourth season. [1]
It was revealed in a deleted scene that Libby had been married three times prior to the plane crash, and that she specializes in marriage counselling. The canonicity of this scene is unclear.
Death and drunk driving speculation
Originally, Libby was not set to die, but Ana Lucia Cortez was not considered a popular enough character to garner sympathy from fans, so Libby, who was well liked, was killed as well for emotional impact.[2] Cynthia Watros took the news quite badly.[2] Many people speculate she was let go due to a real-life drunk driving incident (which also happened to Michelle Rodriguez as well, who was also suspiciously let go from the show at the same time).[3][4]The producers, though, have denied this claim.[4]
References
- ^ "Lost resurrects Libby…". Retrieved 2007-09-20.
- ^ a b "TV Guide Community - The Ausiello Report: Why Lost Killed Libby with executive producers/writers Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse". Retrieved 2007-07-19.
- ^ "Rodriguez + Watros Voted Out of the Island". Retrieved 2007-07-19.
- ^ a b "War of the Worlds, p.5". Retrieved 2007-07-19.
