LOST Magazine #24
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LOST Magazine

An excerpt with Sam Anderson, (Bernard Nadler), and L. Scott Caldwell (Rose Henderson) featured in issue #24 of The Official Lost Magazine.

Viewers had been wondering where Bernard and Rose have been. What's been so endearing about this married couple?

Sam Anderson: Boy, what a great way to start! First off, what I'm discovering just from the people that I run into, and people stop me all the time, is that they feel they know us. Part of it is the race card was never played – this relationship is a little more like the real world. It's because both of them are strong, not afraid to bicker, and at the same time, really try to take care of each other. In the midst of all the chaos going on, there's always this profound love between them.

Looking back at season three, what was interesting is Rose and Bernard chose not to join Locke, who wanted to remain on the island. Why did they have such disdain for him?

L. Scott Caldwell: I was a little confused about that myself because that was one of her seminal relationships. I recall what they had in the script was Rose says something about not going with him because I just saw him knife a woman in the back. That's kind of what happened and was enough of a reason. Otherwise, I would think they certainly would have gone with Locke. Uttermost in my mind is if she leaves the island, she dies.

You play that side of Rose very well…

LSC: Well, I'm a trained Tony Award winning actress. They would take my awards away if I couldn't [smiles]. I think one of the reasons people responded to the character was because she had a spiritual centre. That's what I felt and some of the fan mail has reflected that. They appreciated Rose was so calm, centered, and strong in her faith.

When Jack got sick, Bernard basically chalked it up to bad luck and mocked to Rose that maybe they offended the gods. In your mind, did Bernard believe in the island's uncanny properties or was it all mumbo jumbo to him?

SA: He started out with it all being mumbo jumbo, but the interesting thing is he's still the guy who put them on the plane on their honeymoon because he wanted to take her to a healer. He would do anything to save her. By the end of our flashback episode, whether or not he completely believes in the island's powers, he certainly believes Rose believes it and she seems to be healthy.

With Lost winding down, are you predicting a happy ending for Rose and Bernard?

LSC: Our happy ending is now. Looking too far into the future doesn't give us anything but an imagining of what could be. While you are doing that, you are missing the now. If they are going to bring the characters back, it would be nice if they don't have a happy ending. That would be pleasing to me that they had something that went all the way through because it's a love story which they never explored that much. To me, if one of the characters dies, the love lives. If Rose really does have cancer and it's terminal, they should complete the step. I'm not a person who likes a Pollyanna stand so it would be fabulous if it went through its natural course. I've personally had that experience so I know it's correct.

SA: Yeah, without question I am. You never know what they are going to do but whatever it is, live or die, as long as they are together, they are happy. You may not even see us again.