More Thoughts on "The End" & Entire LOST Series

NOTE: I seriously started writing the following post when LOST ended A YEAR AGO. I kind of needed to take a break from LOST, and mostly this post because it had gotten pretty long (I also forgot about it.). Life kind of got in the way, and I'm just getting back to it now. Please keep in mind that this is how I felt about everything (mainly the awful fan reaction) when it ended, and I'm much more chill about it now. I listened to Bob Marley, because who doesn't like Bob Marley?

Now that I've had some time to reflect on The End and the series as a whole, I've come away with a lot of realizations in hindsight, and some theories as to what I believe actually happened. But, first, I must give some background.

Why did I get into LOST?
Since September 22, 2004, I've been hooked into the story that has been LOST. I remember that summer, always seeing promos for it, because ABC actually did a good job promoting it, which doesn't happen often with any network anymore. I remember thinking how interesting it looked, so I knew I would check it out, at the very least.

Series Finale, Initial Reaction to "The End"

It has taken me a long time to finally complete this post. I swear to Duct Tape that I literally spent at least 80 hours working on this damn post. Between taking notes from watching the episode, to typing them all out, to organizing all my thoughts in a coherent manner.. It has taken forever. But, I enjoyed it all. Working on this has really helped me to explore and understand the entire episode and how I felt about it.

I hesitate to say that it was everything that I'd hoped it would be, because really, I went into this entire season with a completely open mind, and was just allowing myself to fully enjoy it. With that being said, I could not have imagined "The End" being any better than what it was. The entire episode felt like an homage, a tribute, a love-letter even, to the fans of the show. It was a masterpiece. I had been anticipating this for years, since they announced that LOST would end in 2010, and, in my opinion, they delivered. It was thoughtful. It was heartfelt. It was touching. It made me realize that the past six years of my life were truly a great experience. It made me want to go back and watch the whole damn thing all over again. I fucking loved it. But, I also can understand why some people didn't like it. So, let's discuss all of that, and everything in between, shall we?

This is going to be a long one. Bear with me.

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "What They Died For"

The Penultimate. It was everything I'd hoped it would be. Everything is finally starting to make sense now. This episode really set up the finale. It was even funny, which is something that I was not expecting at all, but also enjoyed a lot. I think that I'm finally starting to see the big picture and have idea of just how all of this is going to come together. Don't get me wrong, I still have no clue how it's going to end, but the options are becoming clearer more now than they ever have before. This episode also made a lot of things from last week's "Across the Sea" make a lot more sense to me. So, listen, haters. You were wrong. Admit it. Thank you. Now, we can be friends. So, let's talk about "What They Died For" because I can't wait to discuss it. This is going to be a long post.

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "The Candidate"

WOW. That definitely was the most shocking and emotionally heart-wrenching episode of the season so far. I think that I cried pretty much the entire time that I was watching it. It was beyond incredibly sad. I had to watch the episode three times just to get it to sink in, and I think I'm still in utter shock. I don't even know what to say right now, so let's just get into the episode before the waterworks come...

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "The Last Recruit"

This episode was jam-packed with awesomeness and more confusion, as per the usual. It implies that it will focus on one person, a la "the last recruit," however it focused on all of the candidates, plus Claire and Desmundo, and only left me more puzzled than I was before. This episode also had me about as anxious as I've been this entire season, barring maybe the Season Premiere of LA X, Parts 1 & 2. For some reason, the entire episode had me thinking that for sure someone would die, but no one did, as far as we know right now. Although, the promos lied to us by showing a gunshot, and Desmond in the well. But, alas, we do not know Desmond's fate. Let's get into the episode...

From Lostpedia 

Initial Reaction to "Everybody Loves Hugo"

This episode was pretty awesome. I always enjoy Hurley-centric episodes and this one was no exception. On the surface, Hurley appears to be the source of the show's comedy, and merely that, but there is some deep-seeded seriousness to his story. He is the source which brought us to the numbers, one of the story's largest mythological mysteries. Speaking of which; we still don't know the answer to what the numbers really mean. Sure, Hurley is funny and he says "dude" a lot, but he's also a very serious character whose story tugs at your heart-strings. He sees dead people and relays messages from Jacob. He is haunted by these things, but tries to make the best of the situation. He can make you laugh one minute and cry the next. That says a lot about the depth of his character. This season; Hurley has become a leader. Everybody loves Hugo? You're damn straight we do.

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "Happily Ever After"

Oh, brotha. I said that LOST would be picking up in the next couple of weeks and I'm happy to say that it definitely has. Desmond centric episodes are arguably the best of the series. You cannot deny that. You also cannot deny that the intelligent and sophisticated storytelling are not the only thing that makes the character of Desmond so uniquely and profoundly intriguing. Desmond's world is not only mythological, but it's emotionally charged in a way that is more realistic and intense than any other character on this show. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Desmond is the heart of this show. He is everything that makes it unlike any other show than there has ever been. It is not only because he has great importance to the mythology, but it's because he makes you laugh and cry and cheer for him when he gets a win. It is because, when Henry Ian Cusick is on screen and portraying the character of Desmond David Hume, you never want it to end. Not for a second. For someone that wasn't even on this show since the very beginning, I'd have to say it's pretty damn important for a character to have the ability to impact a show in such a way. For every moment that he's gone, there is something missing. Needless to say, I am glad to have Desmond back. Now, let's discuss our favorite Scotsman and yet another of his episodes that did not disappoint in the least.

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "The Package"

Okay, let's get the dirty jokes out of the way now. The title "The Package" can't help but make me laugh. I can only imagine the euphemisms being thrown out in the writers room as they wrote this episode. Between the title and Sun's undone sweater-buttons, this episode was all sorts of scantily-clad. There was also much more to it than that. There was more Season One nostalgia, lots of Korean (Including an annoying V promotional countdown clock that was subsequently blocking the subtitled translations of said Korean. Grrrrr, ABC!), Sayid Ninja-moves, Room 23, electromagnetism, more Evil-Tina Fey, and most importantly, our beloved Scots-brotha, Desmond David Hume. After the past two episodes, I can feel the momentum truly picking up. I can only hope that the pace continues. Now, let's talk about "The Package" (Giggle).

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "Recon"

Some loved it; some hated it. I was very entertained. Of course, there was some predictability and not a whole lot happened. I agree with that. When you invest yourself so thoroughly into a television show for six years, you get to know the people that create and write much better than you think. As much as we've (the fans) put ourselves into this show, they've invested way more than we can even imagine. The show, in a way, becomes a dialogue between the creators and the fans. We get to know eachother through the screen. I think we've become so accustomed to the craziness and confusion that is LOST that we almost try too hard to anticipate their every move at this point. In many ways, I think, especially in this final season, that they're trying to keep us on your toes, though in much subtler ways that they have before. Relax people. It's building. LOST has always been a character story. If this is the story that Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse wanted to tell, then regardless of if I like it or not, I respect that. I'm not going to set myself up for failure. I have loved this show for six years, and if the ending isn't every single thing that I had hoped and theorized it would be in those six years, I'm not going to stop loving it because of that. Perhaps, I will be a bit disappointed. That's a strong possibility. I expect they won't answer every question that I want answered. I'm okay with that. What LOST changed about television is that it never stops making you think, and I wouldn't expect any less if LOST left me thinking for the rest of my life. Now, I'll give you a topic and let's discuss... "Recon" is neither a "re" nor a "con," discuss!

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "Dr. Linus"

Dr. Linus is a doctor? Didn't see that one coming! This episode was pretty awesome, though not as high-paced as I had anticipated. It was a very strong character episode, regardless of the pacing. Well, until the last two seconds when everything is all well and nice and everyone's hugging, and then the cheeriness is all blown to hell when Charles Widmore shows up to the party. Dude always has to ruin everything that's fun. Will he go on a baby killing tour around the island? Well, considering there are no longer any babies on the island at the moment... maybe he'll re-kill Claire's squirrel baby. That thing is the only thing that's more of a mood-killer than Widmore. But, I guess we'll only find out what his deal is in the weeks to come (Though probably not next week because they always like to do that to us. Grrrrr!). Enough chatter, let's get into it, Dr. Linus...

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "Sundown"

I enjoyed this episode a lot. It wasn't the best thus far this season, and it definitely wasn't the worst either, but the action in it was just awesome. It also was probably one of the darkest and most disturbing episodes of LOST in a long time (The Man Behind the Curtain always freaked me the hell out.). I strongly disagree with those who are becoming quite frustrated and keep saying that these episodes are "filler" and nothing is really happening. These people need to remember that the reason that LOST drew us all in was its characters. Those wonderful characters lead us to the mythology. That mythology lead us to answers eventually. If I didn't have patience, I would have never kept watching this show. I love LOST for its many questions, its mythology, and the fact that it challenges me to think and to learn and grow as a person, and that is all rooted in the characters. I truly believe that the character and mythology building is going somewhere. Believe me, if it doesn't soon, I will be the first to object. But, the thing is, I've spent six years obsessing over this show. I'm going to let myself enjoy it now. I'm not going to spend what little is left of it complaining. If you want to watch a show that doesn't make you think or leave you wondering, go which HEROES (Sorry to those who still watch it, but it's true.). LOST is still a good show. This is the story that the LOST creators/producers/writers wanted to tell, and I respect that, because for six years they have earned that respect from me. I trust that they will take this where it was meant to go. That's all I have to say about that. Also, Sayid is awesome. Now on with the show...

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "Lighthouse"

I think this season is getting better and better as it moves forward. The writers, producers, directors, and actors had all said, before this season started, that it felt a lot like Season One. Well, now we know why. This season is directly paralleling Season One, by episode-centricity, by scenery, and even by line. It's been really great to have that overall feel of Season One back. It reminds me so much of why I love this show. So, let's get on with why I loved this episode, and some (few) things that I have issues with.

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "The Substitute"

This was a great episode. It had great story. It had mythology. It had John Locke! This was far better than last week's episode. Again, I still don't think last week's episode was bad by any means, though a whole lot slower, with a lot less dense mythology. It appears as though they're following the format of the episode-centrics from Season One, which is very interesting. Overall, I'm really enjoyed this episode a lot, and would so as far to say that it's my favorite this season so far, although, obviously, there's not much to choose from. I took A LOT of notes on this episode, so let's get into it.

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "What Kate Does"

Apparently I liked this episode more than most people did. I don't know what everyone's problem is. Just because this episode was slow moving, that doesn't make it filler. There were a lot of good things that happened in it. Sure, Kate has gotten annoying. But you have to look at the big picture. This is setup. There were a lot of great character moments in this episode. If you think this episode was so terrible, please go back and watch Stranger In A Strange Land from Season 3, and try to tell me that episode had any purpose whatsoever.

From Lostpedia

Season Premiere, Initial Reaction to "LA X (Parts 1 & 2)"

WOW. After about 18 hours, and watching it for a second time, I'm still trying to process last night's episode. You would think that after about Five Seasons of an intricate and confusing Television Show, that it would be a little less confusing and hard to wrap your brain around in its Final Season. Nope. I am more confused now than ever before, which is not to say that I don't like where it is headed or that I don't have some theories on said-heading. The biggest thing that I feel coming out of last night's Season Premiere of LOST is that I am proud to say that I watch this show. Sure, sometimes it makes me want to bang my head against a wall, and sometimes I don't agree with the turns it takes, BUT. This show is fearless, and perhaps the most fearless Television Show to ever grace Network Television. It's not afraid to shock us. It's not afraid to kill of our main characters. Hell, it's not even afraid to make an ISLAND a main character, move it through space and time, create an alternate timeline, and then sink it to the bottom of the ocean. For that, I am proud, because LOST doesn't assume that I am not intelligent enough or that I don't have the patience to be challenged into venturing into the unknown. This is one of the many reasons that LOST is not just a Television Show. It is knowledge. It is infinite possibilities. It's not afraid to take risks, to take a chance, to teach us something about ourselves. And as much as I will be so sad when this show ends, I am glad that it's ending.

From Lostpedia

"It only ends once, everything else is just progress."