I think fans are mostly responsible for the hype of the Numbers.
They wanted it to mean something. I think the Numbers were always an Easter Egg. They had one connection which meant something and that connection was explained when they were building the hatch, but outside of that, it was the producers just throwing them out there to show this connection with everything.
The kids on the soccer field, that's easter egg all over it. Even the odometer on the car. The numbers on the police cruisers. It goes on and on. It's just part of the experience.

Comment