Axiom's Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy

By John J. Joex

Okay, I have given it a few weeks since the finale aired to see how the ending sits with me and to peruse over the reaction across the Internet. I recall last year after the Battlestar Galactica finale I actually convinced myself that I liked the conclusion right after I watched it. I’ll just right that off as being in a state of shock and denial because of just how bad the BSG finale actually was, though. For Lost, I liked the conclusion when I first watched and my opinion has not changed in the two and a half weeks since.

I do admit that I was initially a bit confused while watching the last fifteen minutes of the finale. At first I thought they were suggesting as true the old theory that the survivors were in some sort of Purgatory. Then I went back and re-watched the final scenes and understood what they were getting at. The sideways universe was an alternate reality that they all created together where each would come to after they died so that they could go into the afterlife together. I’m sure many hated that ending, but I was okay with it. Sure, they didn’t wrap up all the loose ends, but then I never expected that they would. A good story does not have to answer every question, it has to raise questions and make you think, and Lost definitely did that through its six-year run. And while many looked at it as a mystery story that needed to be solved, it simply used that as a framing device to expand on its central them of science vs. faith.

Think back to The Prisoner for a similar sort of semi-resolution to a series (referring of course to the 60’s original, not the recent AMC snooze-fest). The Prisoner raised any of a number of questions about society, morality, our responsibilities, and more but never really provided many concrete answers. Then it delivered a completely surreal final episode that did more to enrage fans of the show than settle any debates (though I personally loved the ending). But ultimately The Prisoner infers that the answers lie within ourselves, not in any pat story endings delivered by a television show. The series raised some difficult questions then left it to the viewers to provide the answers on how to reconcile the moral quandaries raised. Lost did much the same thing even if it did not get quite as heady as The Prisoner.

Still, across six seasons Lost delivered an engaging drama populated by well-developed, believable characters dealing with the ghosts of their past along with the difficult decisions they faced trying to survive in a harsh situation. Sure, the series meandered some and felt padded at times, but what do you expect from series television? When Lost hit on all cylinders, it really soared like few other shows have ever done on television. And the fact is that it achieved these heights more often than not and went out as strong as it came in, still at the top of its game. It also managed to re-invent itself on a regular basis and to avoid recycling the same old formula each week. Sure, it just kept tweaking that formula, but it did it in such a way as to not feel like retreading old ground. It always seemed to move forward (though maybe not as quickly as some would have preferred) as it advanced the story to its final conclusion. And I also had the feeling that the creative team knew from the beginning where they were going (even if they had not fully fleshed out the resolution) unlike BSG where they were just stringing us along and making it up as they went along. And that ultimately led to a better sense of closure with the conclusion because most of the threads throughout the six years had some meaning and direction (even if they did not all receive a wrap-up). Most importantly, they did not throw any sort of half-assed, nonsensical “Starbuck is an angel” crap at us like BSG did.

And you also have to recognize the economics in how they resolved the series, even if you don’t like them. Lost is a product of network television, a corporate system that needs to make money to survive. And network execs are not only looking to turn a profit but also to milk a property for everything they can. So you can’t convince me that ABC did not prod the creative team toward leaving enough unresolved threads that could potentially carry on the story in another format. No, I’m not looking forward to any Lost spin-offs, but you know the network will keep that wild-card stashed away considering that the show still continued to pull decent ratings through its final season. Whether they try a sequel/spin-off series (Hurley’s Island maybe, or Sawyer and Miles On the Beat), one or more television movies, or even a big screen adaptation, I’d bet good money ABC will not let this series ride off into television history like it should. And any move in that direction would almost certainly degrade the quality of the show (though you know we will still tune in). But at least the series managed maneuver through this artistically vapid corporate system for the six seasons of its original run and maintain its quality, integrity, and sense of wonder.

Lost took us all by surprise back in 2004 when it first debuted, and it took us a on journey through a tropical Wonderland that impacted the medium of television and has become part of our modern culture. And it did so by delivering a superior viewing experience that will continue to resonate with viewers for years to come and will stand up to multiple viewings. I just want to say thank you to the cast and crew for inviting us along for the ride and for caring enough to deliver a high level of quality through six seasons and 121 episodes. We will miss you on the Prime Time schedule but will continue to relive the adventure in repeats and on DVD and continue to try and unlock all the intricacies and mysteries and ponder the questions and challenges you have raised.

Also see: With Lost Gone, What Will be the Next “Big Thing” for Science Fiction and Fantasy Television?

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