The assertion that everything on the island could be explained by mundane means has completely been contradicted.

I'm not sure who said that or where, but that smells like a red herring to me. Watching the show doesn't twig me the way it twigs you, as far as to how little of a plan they may or may not have, but I've never suspected or frankly wanted everything on the island to be explained by mundane means.

I kinda figured OMGWTFPOLARBEAR!, and the little hints that Walt did it, put the kibosh on that theory.

I've never suspected or frankly wanted everything on the island to be explained by mundane means.

Me neither. Which is why the writing team saying so bothered me.

Serial:

and have no explanation for their significance or power.

I've always felt like they do have an explanation, they're just not letting us in on it. Yes they use them too much sometimes, but I'm betting there's an explanation.

I would also like, at this point, to acknowledge the fact that all the Alias watchers are shaking their heads at my supposed naivete, but I've never watched that show, so I can't speak to that. And if we ever get proof that I'm just flat out wrong about all this, that's fine. You can all point and laugh later.

Which is why the writing team saying so bothered me.

I am curious about this now. I don't suppose you remember or can find a place on the web where they said this? Not that I'm doubting you, I'd just like to read it for myself.

I've always felt like they do have an explanation, they're just not letting us in on it. Yes they use them too much sometimes, but I'm betting there's an explanation.

They told both TV Guide and the NY Times there wasn't. Let me see if google will help me out...from Ausiello quotes Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse:

I think that [the] question [as to what the numbers mean] will never, ever be answered. I couldn't possibly imagine [how we would answer that question]. We will see more ramifications of the numbers and more usage of the numbers, but it boggles my mind when people ask me, "What do the numbers mean?"

I have no idea about the spoileryness of the statement--it's clear its truthiness could change at any time.

As for the other citation, it was early-mid season 1, and I couldn't begin to track it down now.

For what it's worth, I do remember that statement as well and thought at the time (before the numbers, but after we'd already seen Locke's miraculous healing and some odd stuff about Walt) that the show's spokesperson had to be wearing hip waders while making it.

IIRC, that statement pinged me something awful when they made it, and I said something about wishing they'd just pretend they had a plan rather than telling us they're just pulling shit out of their asses. I saw Matthew Fox on TDS the other day and he's all "there's a plan, there's a plan" but has no idea what it could possibly be, which may me thinks the Lost folk are starting realize that bragging about not having a plan is not going to get you invited out to parties.

Javi's explanation was that before they even sold the series, they had a little minicamp where they put together all the major concepts (what is the island? what is the monster? etc.) and the character backstories (the latter may have been later) to give to the network when pitching the show. And before each season, they plot out the key revelations on a big whiteboard. I think, basically, they know a lot of stuff, but they don't know exactly how to get there. And if you think that's a plan, then it is. If you don't, then it's not.

I would be absolutely fine with that level of plan, PC, and I'm choosing to suppose that that's the level of plan they've got. I'm fine with storytelling being an organic process, and all the more so when it's drama and you factor in the actors and all the other things - hell, I'm fine with the plan changing (as a result of said organic process) into an entirely new plan, but I'll be pissed off if it turns out that they have NO plan at all, and are just making shit up on the spot.

Here's a more detailed account of the workshop with Javi.