It’s been a little over 2 years since LOST ended, and almost 6 months since I decided to watch my first episode. Refusing to heed my friend’s warnings about “how terrible” it was, I allowed Netflix’s recommendation system to play “Pilot: Part 1”. I was hooked.
Now, this isn’t a rant or a rave (that might be a future post). This post is about my explanation and justification of the final episode of LOST and the events of season 6. I do not suggest reading this unless you have already completed the series. MAJOR spoilers are ahead.
Holy. Amazeballs. That pretty much sums up my feelings on the finale of LOST. I fangirled when old characters returned, I was angry when Kate didn’t wait 15 minutes then run after Jack, and I bawled my eyes out when Vincent ran out of the forest. I mean, my face was so distorted from crying I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror. Absolutely incredible.
I can’t say I am pleased with the ending, but I am not disappointed either. The final flash sideways scene tied everything together nicely, but left its present day counterpart open ended. What happens to Kate, James, and everyone else on the plane? Maybe Miles’ duct tape surgery fails to keep the plane together and they all crash into the ocean and die? Maybe they crash and float back to the island on debris? Maybe they land safely in nearby civilization and catch connecting flights back to LA? The same open ended type stories apply to Hurley, Ben, Desmond, and everyone else on the island. Now that Hurley is the new Jacob and Ben is the new Richard, does that mean Ben and Hurley will live forever? Does Desmond get back to Penny? Do they ever find and bury Jack? Does Jack actually die in that final moment? Maybe Bernard was out looking for Vincent and he finds Jack lying there unconscious and takes him back to his camp. Then, Rose patches Jack back up and he’s off on his merry way! I could go on forever, but the point is WE WILL NEVER KNOW. Six months later and this still pisses me off.
The flash sideways
From my perspective, the flash sideways are kind of like a “final count down” to Jack’s death. Juliet detonating the bomb was merely a catalyst for Jack’s impending doom. That is, if Jack is actually dead (see above). One could argue that the flash sideways are actually flash forwards that take place in purgatory. After all, they’ve all done terrible things or had terrible things happen to them. The only way for everyone to “move on” is to find each other in the afterlife. Certain predestined events had to happen. This would include things like Kate delivering Aaron, Charlie meeting Clare, and the Oceanic 6 meeting each other.
Overall
Overall, LOST is a fantastic show. Take it apart and you have a cluster of the most ridiculous science fiction story ideas ever. Don’t mind the confusing storyline and just enjoy the ride. Trust me.
The Cultured Project 