LIBBY (LOST)

'Elizabeth', commonly known as "'Libby'," is a fictional character in the ABC television series ''Lost'' and is played by Cynthia Watros. She appears in 17 episodes of the . 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.

Contents

Appearance

Backstory

Life on the island

Character notes

Backstory

Death and drunk driving speculation

References

Appearance

Backstory

Libby is known to have met Desmond Hume in California, prior to the latter's arrival on the island. She paid for his coffee and during this meeting, she noticed that Desmond was carying a brochure about a sailing expedition. Desmond mentioned that he does not have a boat, Libby then told Desmond that the boat was her husband's, but he is dead and she thinks that he would have wanted him to have it. The boat mysteriously appeared off the island's coast during her funeral. ("Live Together, Die Alone").
Libby was admitted into a mental hospital for an unknown reason, though fans believe that her husband's death may have been the cause of the mental illness and was the reason for her stay. Though, coincidentally, Hugo "Hurley" Reyes was also hospitalized and Libby seems to recognize him from there ("Dave").
Aside from these incidents, Libby has also claimed that she broke her leg while skiing in Vermont, while chasing a "cute" ski patrol guy. Libby also claims to have attended medical school for one year, but realising that it was a mistake, dropped out to become a clinical psychologist. (The Other 48 Days)
Shortly before the departure of Oceanic Flight 815, Libby witnesses an argument between Mr. Eko and Charlotte Malkin.("?"), and intervenes until she is assured that everything is alright.

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 in the jungle, where Libby grows concerned when Ana Lucia suspects a traitor in the group. They soon discover the 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 she 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 her to shoot her twice in the abdomen. Libby falls unconscious, but awakens in critical condition. Jack administrates some heroin to ease her pain. In 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 bedside, and is buried next to Ana Lucia.
Days later, Hurley visits Libby's grave and expresses how much he misses him 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 . However, the character did not appear that season. Recently, they have stated that Libby would probably reappear in the fourth season. ^[1]
It was revealed in a deleted scene that Libby had been married three times prior to the plane crash. 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. 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). Rodriguez + Watros Voted Out of the Island The producers, though, have denied this claim. War of the Worlds, p.5

References

1. Libby Will Be Back…
2. TV Guide Community - The Ausiello Report: Why Lost Killed Libby with executive producers/writers Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse