I have not often been this disappointed.Bear in mind, I'm a pretty easygoing fan. I don't mind if things are not perfect, and I don't need every little thing answered. But I do need the show to make some sense - and LOST doesn't. We have been watching for six years hoping to understand the fascinating mysteries we've been shown. How do phantasms appear on (and off) The Island? How are people's lives controlled by The Island no matter where they are in the world? Certain characters show special abilities or interesting back stories only to be shoved off of the series and replaced with new mysteries that would also leave us wondering. Like I said, I'm not one of those fans who wants to know where each character was born and why the stage lighting was off in a certain scene - I just want to understand the mysteries that were featured on the show. Imagine if Sherlock Holmes wandered off from Moriarty's trail and never went back - it wouldn't be unreasonable to wonder what became of the arch-villain.
We have our theories. In the absence of actual reveals fans are providing theories to answer these big questions, but the theories are all different because the show simply didn't bother to answer the questions it raised or even give us enough hints so we could draw our own conclusions. Instead, the finale was just a pulpit for the personal philosophical views of the producers. They couldn't be bothered to tell the story, because they had an agenda to pursue.
The real purpose of this show has become a religious one. As the show was wrapping up and giving us its dramatic ending, the main character was wandering around in a church rectory in front of a stained glass window that contained symbols from many religions (like those "coexist" bumper stickers). As a discussion of life, death, and ascension (or, "moving on") took place I realized that I had been waiting all this time for the producers to promote their Universalist religion; like a kid who has been dragged to church, I rolled my eyes and waited for the sermon to end. (It's pretty bad when a Southern Baptist like me accuses you of being preachy. I've never thought pop-culture should be used to ambush those you with to proselytize.)
This concept of spiritually "moving on" through our life's work is not a new development for LOST. In the season five finale, the mysterious entity Jacob is reading Flannery O'Connor's All That Rises Must Converge. This references an old theory about human consciousness and ascension, but is also a statement that rings true with the Universalist agenda and the hope that all of our "heavens" are the same. In season 4, it was proposed by one character that those who had gotten off of The Island were in a place like Heaven - this was an early attempt to prepare us for the end when this turns out to be true. And in season 1, The Island is a strong symbol of purgatory as each character "moved on" from their old ways and started over with a new life.I can handle this. Like I said, I'm a reasonable fan, and I can get over this boring stuff in order to get to the good part. So I kept waiting for something else to happen - waiting for some reveal that would make sense of the show. And I kept waiting. And then the credits rolled.
And that was it. There are no answers to the questions that have been raised. No resolution at all. Moriarty has stomped off to commit another crime and Sherlock Holmes is off somewhere reading Socrates. This is because the producers want us to see their message and want us to know that The Island doesn't matter, none of it matters, because we will someday "move on" from this - so we might as well go ahead and leave the mystery behind.
But the metaphysical ascension of the characters isn't very interesting - the Island is. So, why didn't they solve the mysteries that we care so much about? Did the producers raise so many questions just so we would all pack in and watch their religious message at the end?
I think they did - and that's pretty lame.
8 comments:
Thanks for the comments, Adam. I was actually rather pleased, and here are a couple of comments concerning why.
A number of mysteries have not been solved, but the effect of the nuke, the nature of the "flashes sideways," and the origins of the conflict between Jacob and his brother have been revealed. So the main structure of the story has been completed. The remaining mysteries are on the fringes.
I interpreted the afterlife (i.e., the outside of the church) differently. I thought they were intentionally leaving eternal destinations ambiguous; maybe they all go to the same place, and maybe not. The only thing that is clear is that there is an afterlife.
However, if your reading of the afterlife in LOST is the correct one then I heartily endorse your criticisms!
I don't think the remaining mysteries on the fringe. I have been re-watching this show every summer and without a few more answers it just doesn't make sense. Walt's appearance to Locke and the Off-Island powers of The Island are essential to understanding the plot and a solution is not even approached.
Of course they didn't wrap everything up neatly, because that would kill their cash cow and leave no possibility for a movie in a year or so. Which I can almost guarantee you will happen.
A very very good post Adam. Thanks for taking the time to flesh out your complaints.
I read somewhere that Walt's absence was intentional as the actor was far too old to appear in the finale and not ruin continuity. Of course, you'd think with time travel in play, this could be pretty easily written around, but I stick by my original prediction: Walt will appear and answers will be given in the movie.
I admit I am unsatisfied with the whole Walt thing, as well as the ghosts in Hurley's old asylum.
For that matter, I always wondered whether his invisible friend Dave was actually a ghost from the Island.
I posted this on many of the blogs that posted reactions to the show. I had some pretty good responses at ew.com so far.
Summary: Lost lost me, but joy! Christ found and saved me!
I have been a great fan of the show. I have watched every episode of every season. I have noticed a great divide in the comments so far. There were many looking for r
answers and the show seems to have left those people feeling empty. There were others looking for relational resolutions between the characters and it seems like most of these people were overall satisfied (not without some gripes about Walt, Michael, etc.though).
It seems the writers of the show wanted to leave us with this message: it doesn't matter what answers you find, as long as you don't search alone.
I'll probably be called a religious fanatic, but that's ok. I find most shows that attempt to address life, afterlife and the supernatural. I notice most also totally leave God out of the picture except for maybe a few minor references. I wonder what John, the writer of Revelation would think of a show like Lost? His vision overflows and is consumed with Jesus Christ, the saving one, the risen one, the judge, and the focus of all history. I've heard that the Lost writers also have a healthy respect for c.s. Lewis. I don't think he would have been satisfied with this show though. When finishing this show, the writers were faced with a debate between answers or relationships. As we know now, they passed on many of the answers in favor of relationships.
This is what makes Jesus so amazing and scary at the same time. Unlike the show Lost, Jesus provides both in spades. Jesus answers in relationship. Jesus finds where Lost remains lost.
I will agree with some of the fans who commented who thought Lost 'played it safe' with the ending. In contrast, when Lewis describes the Lion, Aslan in his Narnia books, he is described as 'good, but not safe. He's the King, you know.'
Jesus is not safe, but his rescue makes us secure. His life is light that brings life to the dead. Jesus doesn't provide an escape from the world to a mystical heaven that is built from our own imagination. He finds what was lost and takes life back from death. I really liked Lost as a story about the importance of redemption, but the redeemer was left out, and that is sad.
I thought the most telling shot in the entire show came in the last five minutes when the camera descends outside the church and there is a statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched. It's easy to think of Jesus as just a statue that we can look to for inspiration, but if we actually behold the living, risen and reigning Christ who has promised to return one day; then we are not just inspired and left empty but instead we are captivated and found by then only savior who has risen from the dead. So, while the show lost did not leave you with this question, I will: will Jesus remain a statue in your life or will you let him live as he lives in glory and love as no one else has ever loved you and lead you as the good king that he is in life with no more fear from death. While lost failed with answers, Jesus longs to speak into your life. There is some danger in the message of lost, because it ends with 'answers don't matter', when Jesus has said and still says to those who will hear, 'I am the resurrection and the life', and 'I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me'. Lost left me sad but not empty because Jesus finds, fills, satisfies me everyday just as He promised He would. I was sad because Jesus provides so much more than the show could and the show pretty much claims you're fine without Jesus and redemption can come apart from Jesus. In my mind, the writers better hope they are right because otherwise this greatly dishonors Jesus and disregards what he said and did. I hope these thoughts will stir something up and you consider Jesus. I really love Him and I'm not ashamed to let you know.
Mike this is not the place for this.I'm glad you have such faith but you dont have to push it on us.We have our own beliefs and faiths .You dont have to justify yours to us.Its ok.......Steve
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