Lost is over. After five incredible seasons and one meandering, ill-conceived season, the finale was absolutely incredible. The last two episodes, all three and a half hours, had everything that I had come to love about Lost.
The revelation that the ‘flash-sideways’ was a creation of the group’s collective consciousness even erased some of my qualms about the lack of coherent logic over the last season. Rather than trying to establish a logical framework, the writers cleverly eliminated the need for it. Applying what I know now retroactively to season 6, I have to take back some of my criticism over the last few months.
The final episode brought excitement, drama, and closure. It answered all my questions about the flash sideways and left me feeling satisfied. Honestly, it wasn’t until the next morning that I realized I had been hoodwinked. They answered everything I wanted to know about season 6, but left the much bigger questions unanswered. It was done so well, however, that I didn’t really care.
I don’t usually go on about acting, but the performances in the finale were just exceptional. The depth of emotion, the identifiable reality just exuded from the screen. The whole cast was fantastic, but Terry O’Quinn stood out among them all. I hope we see him again soon.
Each reunion and ‘awakening’ was more powerful than the last. My lovely wife, who has been watching with me since the very beginning, cried early and often during the final two and a half hours of the Lost saga. Every character acted consistently with the personality we’ve come to know and love/hate over the last six years.
Maybe it’s better to leave some questions unanswered. Better no answer than a weak one (like the whispering noises in the jungle). I mean, who out there wouldn’t be happier if George Lucas hadn’t used Midichlorians to explain the Force? Some things should remain a mystery.
Whatever became of Hurley and Ben on the island will forever remain a secret – although I’d love to read a novel, or series of novels, picking up where the show left off. As long as there are no Midichlorians.
