Assuming Thematic stuff isn't spoily:

Adds Lindelof: ''The show is about the conflict between Jack and Locke. Boone's death will be a divisive point between them.''

So, we can start a who's in what camp pool now?

I was assuming a real split in the camp would happen, and couldn't come up with any other easy half-ish dividing line, just because it makes narrative sense, but it's nice to have some backup.

So, we can start a who's in what camp pool now?

I was assuming a real split in the camp would happen, and couldn't come up with any other easy half-ish dividing line, just because it makes narrative sense, but it's nice to have some backup.

I think back when we first starting making camps, they were structured as Jack vs. Locke as well, under the notion that Locke was the Randall Flagg figure. But you're right, it's cool that the creators note that as well.

I'm putting Charlie and Claire both in Locke's camp--Charlie because of the whole heroin issue (and possibly also if he finds out that Locke has access to an entire plane full of the stuff when he suffers a setback in life), and Claire because that's where Charlie is also (and also because Jack had nothing to do with her baby's birth).

If rafting for help fails (which it's going to have to do, otherwise, hey--no show anymore!), Jin's going to be torn over where to go. He has no ties to Locke at this point, but if Sun and Michael are going to stick with Jack (I think they will), he might go to the other camp to put some space between him and them.

Hurley and Walt will be tricky--they might be the emissaries between the two camps.

I have a silly question coming from not understanding the blood pooling thing: could they have used leeches to get rid of the pooling blood and promote better blood flow? Or is the problem that the bones were in teeny-tiny pieces and there was nothing that was going to change that?

Lower extremity compartment syndrome

Traditionally, treatment of acute compartment syndrome involves surgical intervention, and fasciotomy is the procedure of choice. Large longitudinal incisions are made in each of the affected compartments. These incisions are left open to be reapproximated at a later date. Complications of the procedure include wound infections and adhesions of the knee extensor system, which can be detrimental to athletic performance (2,8). After the operation, prolonged rehabilitation is often necessary. Early operative intervention is suggested for elderly patients and patients with low blood pressure or multiple trauma.

Thanks to Vonnie's LJ, I found the proper term for what was wrong with Boone's leg: compartment syndrome.

Basically, think of each muscle in the leg as a soft-sided suitcase. They can all change shape, but they can't change size. Then, think what happens when you have 4 suitcases in the trunk of a small car, and keep trying to stuff more things into the trunk. More and more pressure gets put on the suitcases, and whatever is inside the suitcases gets squished into unrecognizability.

Now, in the lower leg, there are 4 muscle sections. Boone is bleeding heavily into his lower leg, and the muscle sections are being squished. When you squish muscle, it does bad things: under certain circumstances, it can poison you, but in this case, the muscle cells just die and get gross and eventually you die.

The googling I did said that the quickie remedy for compartment syndrome is to cut a long vertical slice in one or more sides of the lower leg, deeply enough to cut open the sheath of one of the muscles. Sort of like a big ole pressure valve, or allowing the car's trunk to hang open.

I don't think leeches would do the trick, because (a) loooots of blood and (b) blood not necessarily right up at the skin level. Then again, I don't think amputation was necessary right that moment, since the "get gross" phase takes a while.

I don't think amputation was necessary right that moment, since the "get gross" phase takes a while.

I thought the amputation was because the infusion wasn't working, and the supply was limited -- if you can tie off those arteries and stop the leaking, then you can give him blood he can actually use.

And I'm pretty sure it was called compartment syndrome in the episode, otherwise I'm just an uncanny googler.

I'm pretty sure it was called compartment syndrome in the episode

I'm sure it was, but I heard, "blah blah syndrome", so Vonnie's clarification was a help.

if you can tie off those arteries and stop the leaking, then you can give him blood he can actually use.

I think there are more efficient ways of tying off an artery than chopping off a whole leg. E.g., he could have just applied a tourniquet, written off the leg as "must amputate eventually," and stuck with the chest cavity problems. I mean, same outcome in the end, but a lot less drama.

a lot less drama

Exactly.

Oh, yeah! I shouted at the tv during the death scene at Jack's self-involvement. Oh, gee, Jack, thanks for taking up so much time with your flagellation that Boone has to spend his whole death toll scene forgiving you, and doesn't have time to address anyone like, oh, his sister!

I was glad they didn't amputate. This whole episode was medical show squicky. Although I guess it went better than could be expected. I mean, really amazingly better, what with the middle-of-the-jungle without even the convenient not-dead doctor to help you out demon baby delivery.

Pretty cute for a demon baby.