Well, the final episode of ABC's epic series "Lost" has aired and controversy still surrounds it. You must admit, there has never been anything like "Lost" in the annals or television history. Perhaps "Twin Peaks" or even "The X-Files" came close, but neither even approached the kind of mythology that J.J. Abrams, Carlton Cruse and Damon Lindelof managed to maintain for 114 episodes. The series presented audiences with puzzles, soapy drama, enigmas and, most importantly, characters we came to know and love over six tumultuous seasons. Frustrating, delightful, philosophical and entertaining are just a few of the adjectives that can be applied to "Lost." And in the end, that's exactly what the show's creators and writers set out to create.
SPOILER ALERT: If you are one of the few fans who has not seen the finale, do not read any further (though how you managed to avoid everything posted on line and reported on air, remains as mysterious as the statue of Tarawet, to me).
Last night saw the series' two and a half hour finale, in which some, if not all, of our questions were answered. At first, my reaction was one of disappointment. But the more I thought about it, the more I came to understand what the finale had to say, and the more I appreciated it. In the end (as the producers have always insisted), "Lost" was a love story. I'm not talking about romantic love, here - though there was certainly plenty of that. "Lost" was mostly about the love we find along the way; be it with our friends, families or those with whom we share a one-on-one intimacy. As the "sideways" characters became "enlightened," remembering their journeys on the island; so we also came to understand the importance of a shared experience. If nothing else, "Lost" fans have that in common.
Ever since Jack Shepherd opened his eyes in that bamboo grove, viewers have shared every every frustrating event; every joyous reunion; every puzzling relationship and every romantic moment shared by the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. We pondered about polar bears where they didn't belong; numbers with no apparent connection; electromagnetic fields; psychic visions; Egyptian symbols; smokey monsters; time travel; diamond thieves; fried chicken restaurants; mental hospitals; ghosts; philosophers; Alice in Wonderland; Spanish comic books; 16 MM instructional films; religion; immortality; slave ships; explosives; spinal surgery; power struggles; torture; tortured childhoods; manipulative parents; music; novels; sailing; piloting; siblings; history; philanthropy; art; romance and just about everything else that impacts the Human Condition. How many television programs can you name that touched on so many subjects (and more) in the way that "Lost" did. I'm guessing none.
Whether you hated the revelation that the 'sideways" world was actually purgatory and all that happened on the island was 'real,' or you felt cheated (as I initially did) by the end, all depends ultimately on your personal take. And even though we have been promised additional answers (like why Walt was so special) on the forthcoming Season Six DVD (decidedly unfair to those of us who don't want to - or can't afford to - spend the $50+ for the set), in the end, we have to accept what the writers wrought.
Like it, love it or hate it, the "Lost" finale was certainly in keeping with the series' premise and title. While many of its fans will remain lost as to the show's (and its creators) intentions, one cannot deny that "Lost" not only changed the face of episodic TV, but challenged its viewers to look beyond what was presented and to literally think "outside the box."
I suppose that in the end, we can only be grateful for the great ride the writers gave us, and the amazing characters the actors brought to life for us. Will "Lost" go down in history as teh greatest TV show ever? Well, that's for future historians to decide. For myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and I look forward to a show that can match it in both characters and story-telling. Until then, I simply say "Namaste."
SPOILER ALERT: If you are one of the few fans who has not seen the finale, do not read any further (though how you managed to avoid everything posted on line and reported on air, remains as mysterious as the statue of Tarawet, to me).
Last night saw the series' two and a half hour finale, in which some, if not all, of our questions were answered. At first, my reaction was one of disappointment. But the more I thought about it, the more I came to understand what the finale had to say, and the more I appreciated it. In the end (as the producers have always insisted), "Lost" was a love story. I'm not talking about romantic love, here - though there was certainly plenty of that. "Lost" was mostly about the love we find along the way; be it with our friends, families or those with whom we share a one-on-one intimacy. As the "sideways" characters became "enlightened," remembering their journeys on the island; so we also came to understand the importance of a shared experience. If nothing else, "Lost" fans have that in common.
Ever since Jack Shepherd opened his eyes in that bamboo grove, viewers have shared every every frustrating event; every joyous reunion; every puzzling relationship and every romantic moment shared by the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. We pondered about polar bears where they didn't belong; numbers with no apparent connection; electromagnetic fields; psychic visions; Egyptian symbols; smokey monsters; time travel; diamond thieves; fried chicken restaurants; mental hospitals; ghosts; philosophers; Alice in Wonderland; Spanish comic books; 16 MM instructional films; religion; immortality; slave ships; explosives; spinal surgery; power struggles; torture; tortured childhoods; manipulative parents; music; novels; sailing; piloting; siblings; history; philanthropy; art; romance and just about everything else that impacts the Human Condition. How many television programs can you name that touched on so many subjects (and more) in the way that "Lost" did. I'm guessing none.
Whether you hated the revelation that the 'sideways" world was actually purgatory and all that happened on the island was 'real,' or you felt cheated (as I initially did) by the end, all depends ultimately on your personal take. And even though we have been promised additional answers (like why Walt was so special) on the forthcoming Season Six DVD (decidedly unfair to those of us who don't want to - or can't afford to - spend the $50+ for the set), in the end, we have to accept what the writers wrought.
Like it, love it or hate it, the "Lost" finale was certainly in keeping with the series' premise and title. While many of its fans will remain lost as to the show's (and its creators) intentions, one cannot deny that "Lost" not only changed the face of episodic TV, but challenged its viewers to look beyond what was presented and to literally think "outside the box."
I suppose that in the end, we can only be grateful for the great ride the writers gave us, and the amazing characters the actors brought to life for us. Will "Lost" go down in history as teh greatest TV show ever? Well, that's for future historians to decide. For myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and I look forward to a show that can match it in both characters and story-telling. Until then, I simply say "Namaste."
More, anon.
Prospero
1 comment:
I stopped watching Lost after the first season so I didn't read this post but I do have something for you. This a the link to a windows 7 commercial featuring zombie love. I thought you could use it for The Zombie Zone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXQJ8msYDh0
Also, did you check out Java Junkie's HUG post the other day? Very funny!
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