Lost - The Full Series Thread

[johnj]

I think even Christians would call the cack handed ending disgusting to be honest.

Also:

stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own. 2. the actions, beliefs, prejudices, etc

.

I don't think you can quite get that from my one post there.

I find it cheapening to Christianity and the whole show that it's been used that way, I mean, really.

[Guest]

Eh? Why's this not in the Lost thread?

[WibbleWorldGiddy]

I think even Christians would call the cack handed ending disgusting to be honest.

I find it cheapening to Christianity and the whole show that it's been used that way, I mean, really.

I can agree with you there - the use of pseudo christian symbolism was heavy handed and unnecessary. There were many, many problems with the episode (and the season, and the series as a whole, but I won't go into those).

I don't think you can quite get that from my one post there.

Fair point. It's not possible to suggest "complete and utter intolerance" or even "obstinate or unenlightened attachment to a particular creed, opinion, system or party" from just three words*. I have to admit that I mimiced the dramatic tone of your post in order to provoke a more descriptive response, in the hope that you would expand on why you didn't like about the afterlife section. What specifically did you find disgusting about the afterlife bit? Was it the use of religious imagery rather than a more secular approach, the fact that it promoted ideas of the afterlife cribbed from one specific religion**, broader problems with the episode, or some other reason?

* Hilarious dictionary japes: I've just noticed that, on the basis of the Dictionary.com definition, anyone who claims to oppose bigotry must be classified as a bigot themselves. The Internet would be a much calmer place if everyone had free access to the OED.

** I've read that there are other religious symbols and references in the church. I wasn't able to spot these on first run-though and don't think I'm ready to rewatch the final two-parter for some time, but they are there apparently.

[NEG]

Looks like the UK "Complete Collection" released in October will look far more crap (an average big box) then what the US got this month. Import-me-doo?

[Janson]

Excerpt from the transcript of the Black Rock's log which comes with the U.S set:

December 18? - An away team of six men was launched at first light in an attempt to get to the island with hopes of determining our location.

Only one returned alive. He seems in a deep shock, muttering about exchanging musket fire with another vessel which promptly disappeared in a flash of heavenly light. He went on to claim that after hours of traversing the island, his five crewmates simply jumped overboard as if lemmings and no degree of coaxing could persuade them back into the boat. They drowned. Every one.

There will be no more away teams.

[Luke]

So what answers did we get there?

The Supply Drops

The Hurley Bird

The Pregnancy Problem

Room 23

Sure there's others I have missed.

I thought it was a fun 11 minute short, perhaps disappointing for those who buy the whole 6 series collection DVD just for the epilogue.

There was a bit more explanation of the Polar Bears too.

I agree with the earlier post of it seeming a bit like a parody sketch explaining the answers to stupid questions asked by stupid people who if they weren't so stupid could easily have figured out answers for themselves that were just as satisfactory, and probably the same.

It got a few chuckles out of me, which was nice.

It was mean to tease us with the Ben/Hurley/Walt bit.

[Rudi von Starnberg]

Excerpt from the transcript of the Black Rock's log which comes with the U.S set:

December 18? - An away team of six men was launched at first light in an attempt to get to the island with hopes of determining our location.

Only one returned alive. He seems in a deep shock, muttering about exchanging musket fire with another vessel which promptly disappeared in a flash of heavenly light. He went on to claim that after hours of traversing the island, his five crewmates simply jumped overboard as if lemmings and no degree of coaxing could persuade them back into the boat. They drowned. Every one.

There will be no more away teams.

What a cop-out. Also, it's probably the poorest attempt at period writing that I've seen. "Away team"? The lemming reference?

On another note, the more I think back on this ending, the less I like it. I enjoyed it well enough at the time but I'm becoming increasingly dissatisfied with it.

[Rayn]

On another note, the more I think back on this ending, the less I like it.

Personally, I think the only other way it could've ended was just to end, with no attempt at any conclusion for our losties at all. No matter how the writers would've tied up the series, there'd be loads of unsatisfied watchers and fans out there. An ending a bit like the S1 ending of Twin Peaks might've been the best choice, though, as the one we were served, kinda rendered the entire last season redundant.

[Pete]

I'm still amazed that some of you are happy with "electromagnetic inteferrence" as a satisfactory explanation for anything, let alone some of the bigger mysteries.

The real test of lost is would I recommend them to a friend. The answer for me is definitely no.

[DarhkFox]

enjoyed it, liked the ending somewhat in what they did... but it was a load of balls really. After waiting 6 years it was pretty much the biggest i have ever done.

[angel]

The finale that just keeps on dissapointing. Why anyone would wana watch it on dvd/BD is beyond me, it angries up the blood.

Torrent the extras and consign to history as...they fucked it up.

[Guest]

These extras, which are the ones you're all talking about? The only ones I can find are 2+ months old. Was there some new stuff released recently?

[Chaz]

The finale that just keeps on dissapointing. Why anyone would wana watch it on dvd/BD is beyond me, it angries up the blood.

Torrent the extras and consign to history as...they fucked it up.

Oh my god, I agree with an angel post

I actually can't seriously rave about the program after that last couple of episodes, it would only be embarassing to have someone continue watching it on my recommendation to then experience the disappointment and anger I did at the cop-out ending.

[Sprite Machine]

You could just throw the season six discs away and pretend they don't exist.

[SharkEnergy]

Finally saw the finale last night (didn't have Sky for an age and recorded this over Christmas on Sky 2).

SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY

I haven't seen anyone here (that enjoyed it or not) say they felt the ending was really quite sad! I'm not an overly emotional person but to think that all of those deaths - Jack in the bamboo, Locke with the strangling, Sun and Jin in the sub, Sayid in the sub, Juliette down the shaft - were all real and those people died at that time. Jack died moments after him and Kate admitting their love for each other. And then the limbo land holding station before they all moved onto Heaven / Bright Lights - they all get back together, they are all happy and have got to be with their loved ones - but they aren't REALLY together - They are all dead. And now there existence is no more. No more thoughts or feelings. Just a bright light leading to nothing.

The writers weren't joking when they said they were bothered more about the story of the characters than the Island.

I doesn't bother me that this and that were not answered, and that we don't get the story of the 6 on the plane or Ben and Hurley from that point on. If we want every little question answered then it kinda takes away the sci fi part - I mean do we want a written explanation of Lost's take on Time Travel for example? No thanks.

Overall I felt it was a fantastic series from start to finish.

[zxcvbnm]

Wasn't the Ben & Hurley bit answered in that clip that did the rounds a while ago?

[Gabe]

Finally saw the finale last night (didn't have Sky for an age and recorded this over Christmas on Sky 2).

SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY

I haven't seen anyone here (that enjoyed it or not) say they felt the ending was really quite sad! I'm not an overly emotional person but to think that all of those deaths - Jack in the bamboo, Locke with the strangling, Sun and Jin in the sub, Sayid in the sub, Juliette down the shaft - were all real and those people died at that time. Jack died moments after him and Kate admitting their love for each other. And then the limbo land holding station before they all moved onto Heaven / Bright Lights - they all get back together, they are all happy and have got to be with their loved ones - but they aren't REALLY together - They are all dead. And now there existence is no more. No more thoughts or feelings. Just a bright light leading to nothing.

You've just written that with more feeling that the writers could.

Christian says that those moments together were the best of their lives, hence why they created the meeting place for when they died - so everybody that survived had a crappy time following getting back to their normal lives then? That's really quite sad when you think about it.

The writers weren't joking when they said they were bothered more about the story of the characters than the Island.

Because they had no clue what to do with the island?

I doesn't bother me that this and that were not answered, and that we don't get the story of the 6 on the plane or Ben and Hurley from that point on. If we want every little question answered then it kinda takes away the sci fi part - I mean do we want a written explanation of Lost's take on Time Travel for example? No thanks.

Overall I felt it was a fantastic series from start to finish.

See, I don't think people were necessarily expecting every little thing to be answered, or maybe even the big things - but I do think that people hoped that the ending would give the preceding seasons some validity. Instead you could probably watch just the last few episodes of season 6 and actually not really know much more than somebody who has seen it all. I have always joked with my gf that nothing ever really happened - and sadly that finale has been proven. Yes, some of the characters were good; Locke obviously was fabulous, the friendship between Jin and Sawyer was good and even Jack was sometimes decent, but it needed more of this.

It just felt a completely schizophrenic series that went from mystery to sci-fi to fantasy to religious allegory and you could probably split the seasons into completely different chunks that fit those groupings; there was no real cohesion.

I've just watched the last 7 episodes in one stint, and for me I was genuinely thinking that I'd feel a bit sad about saying goodbye to these characters and hoped that the writers would at least be able to give me something to feel I didn't waste my time. I disagree with people who say it is all about the journey when you learn nothing on it, and that - for me - it the biggest disappointment.

Shame.

[Kodamarama]

Christian says that those moments together were the best of their lives, hence why they created the meeting place for when they died - so everybody that survived had a crappy time following getting back to their normal lives then? That's really quite sad when you think about it.

I found that bit (amongst many others in the finale) so weakly-conceived and also bleak - like they all had the bestest evar time on the Island with their Oceanic 815 homies. Most notably so in the case of Desmond and PENNEH!

Should have been like, 'Oh, where's Steve?' 'Turns out he had this great life with his family, and reserved his Special Place token for them. What a loser!'

[Padlocked]

Except he didn't say it was "the best time in their lives". He said it was "the most important".

[Kodamarama]

Same point applies, really - still not really a strong enough conceit for them all 'gathering' like that. IMHO!!!!

[Capwn]

I was hoping the Walking Dead could potentially be a replacement but it's sort of failed at the first hurdle. Just honestly can never imagine there being another show full of insane mental batshit that's anywhere near the same quality as Lost.

[holly]

I was hoping the Walking Dead could potentially be a replacement but it's sort of failed at the first hurdle. Just honestly can never imagine there being another show full of insane mental batshit that's anywhere near the same quality as Lost.

Never watched Twin Peaks then...

[makkuwata]

I teared up when Vincent lay down beside Jack. It certainly worked for me.

[Padlocked]

Same point applies, really - still not really a strong enough conceit for them all 'gathering' like that. IMHO!!!!

Well, if you hate the whole concept of limbo then sure, nothing's going to change your reading of it.

But "best", defined as an awesome time, is very very different to "important", defined as life-changing and something you carry with you forever. It suggests that for everyone on there, the island was a pivotal moment in their existence, something that defined who they were and who they became. In the case of every character who died on the island, it rings true - they all sought answers, reconciliation, something while they were there - right back to season 1. In the case of those who lived on and escaped, it's easy to see how they would carry those experiences with them forever.

The ending of Lost is incredibly downbeat and I agree with the statement up thread that this ending - whether you read "best" or "important" - is very sad. None of the characters really gets a happy ending. Limbo at least presents an opportunity for debate - for those who want to take everything on surface value, it's a suggestion that all found the redemption they sought and have a happy ending. The real ending for each character, however, is far more subversive, far more desperate.

Even the happier endings - defined as those who live - are bittersweet. Kate and Sawyer will never be together, Sawyer has lost Juliet, Walt doesn't get another acting contract, Vincent starves to death or goes feral, Jin and Sun's daughter grows up an orphan that's probably disowned by her grandfather. I dunno, maybe the only happy endings are Hurley and Ben's.

I liked it - by the third season, which I think was the first really divisive one, I wasn't watching it for the mythology any more and genuinely watched for the characters and their interactions with what was going on around them. I found the ending was satisfying and that it completed the series well for me.

[Kodamarama]

You've just written that with more feeling that the writers could.

I feel the ending of Lost boils down to this: for those determined to love it there's interpretations to be dug at.  For pretty much everyone else it was a load of ass.

[Padlocked]

Perhaps most of all, I miss Evangeline Lilly being on my screen. And Hurley, but for very different reasons.

[makkuwata]

Something or other triggered a Lost nostalgia kick in me recently and I've been swiftly skimming through episodes for significant scenes. It's easy to forget how good this show was as a week by week "wtf just happened" experience. But c'mon...why did cyclops pull the pin on the grenade? If Charlie didn't have a pre-destination death wish both he and Desmond could have happily paddled up to the surface.

Charlie

[CactuarBill]

I know, I've been looking through the best scenes of the show. I saw a video of some guys reactions as they were watching the season 3 finale. That scene at the end, I remember what I went through. Truly one of my favourite scenes in television history. I went from shouting holy shit to then being really annoyed that I would have to wait 8 months for the show to return.

[Monkeyboy]

Someone asked me the other day if it's worth watching all six seasons of this. Thinking of the awful last season, I had to say, "No."

[squirtle]

Something or other triggered a Lost nostalgia kick in me recently and I've been swiftly skimming through episodes for significant scenes. It's easy to forget how good this show was as a week by week "wtf just happened" experience. But c'mon...why did cyclops pull the pin on the grenade? If Charlie didn't have a pre-destination death wish both he and Desmond could have happily paddled up to the surface.

Charlie

Charlie let himself die because he believed it was the only way that both Claire and Aaron could get off the island. Remember, Claire nearly drowned because of the lightning rod incident earlier in the series, showing that if he didn't die, it could have repercussions on those he loved, so he accepted his fate. At first, I was all like, "get out the door, then close it, you fool!" but he couldn't do that as it kept putting Claire in danger.