Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Duster season 1, episode 3, “You’re No Good”
Josh Holloway and J.J. Abrams’ reunion show, Duster, has a perfect callback to Lost in episode 3. The role of James “Sawyer” Ford made Holloway one of the leading members of Lost‘s cast, while Abrams was a co-creator and executive producer of the hit series. They have now reunited in HBO Max’s Duster, which is co-created and executive-produced by Abrams and features Holloway as getaway driver Jim Ellis. Duster‘s cast of characters also includes Nina Hayes (Rachel Hilson), who is one of the FBI’s first Black female agents, and criminal kingpin Ezra Saxton (Keith David).
Nina is determined to take down Jim’s boss, Saxton, despite everyone telling her that it is impossible. By the end of Duster episode 1, Jim agrees to be an informant for Nina due to her suspicion that Jim’s brother, Joey, was killed by Saxton. In episode 3, Nina goes to see Leland Breen (Michael Bryan French), the FBI agent who was previously on the Saxton case and who is now hospitalized at a sanatorium. It is during Nina’s tense scene with Breen that a wonderful Lost callback is featured.
Breen Tells Nina To “Follow The Numbers” In Duster Episode 3
“The Numbers” Was One Of Lost’s Greatest Mysteries
One of the last things Breen says before he throws a knife at Nina and runs away from her is to “follow the numbers.” While this line will definitely go on to be important in Duster, it is also a clever reference to the numbers in Lost. One of the long-running mysteries in Lost is the significance of the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42, which appear frequently throughout the series. The mystery begins with Hurley “Hugo” Reyes (Jorge Garcia), who wins the lottery when he uses the numbers, but he soon becomes convinced that they are cursed.
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Hurley follows the numbers by going to Australia in search of an answer to their origin and in the hopes that he can change his bad luck. Australia does not yield the answers that Hurley was hoping to find, and the mystery only deepens on the island, as the numbers appear on the side of the hatch and are entered every 108 minutes into a Dharma Initiative computer. The numbers continue to appear in other ways throughout the show as well, from Jack Shephard’s (Matthew Fox) seat on the plane being 23C to the plane being Oceanic Flight 815.
After hearing about the numbers and characters needing to follow them for years in Lost, it seems intentional that a Lost reunion show now uses the phrase “follow the numbers.”
Lost‘s numbers end up corresponding to specific characters who are candidates to replace Jacob (Mark Pellegrino) on the island. The interactive alternate reality game The Lost Experience further explores the numbers’ significance through the Valenzetti Equation as well. After hearing about the numbers and characters needing to follow them for years in Lost, it seems intentional that a Lost reunion show now uses the phrase “follow the numbers.”
What “Follow The Numbers” Means In Duster
It Can Help Nina With The Saxton Case
Breen’s line is a fun connection to Lost, but it is also an important clue in Duster that will likely help Nina crack the Saxton case. Since Nina asks Breen why he had the police change their report about Joey Ellis’ death and what happened to all his missing files, “follow the numbers” may answer both those questions. Since police files are numbered, perhaps following the numbers of the Joey Ellis report and of the missing files will help her find the information she needs.
Saxton seemingly lied to Jim and his father about Joey’s death.
Numbers are often associated with money as well, and Breen’s words could be an indicator that Nina needs to follow the trail of money that can be traced back to Saxton. Following the money can help Nina figure out which FBI agents and government officials are secretly working for Saxton. With Saxton’s extensive wealth being at the heart of his power and influence, it could also be his undoing. The money can provide an avenue for Nina and Jim to expose the financial laws he is breaking, which could be the key to stopping him for good in Duster.
