tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post4266338200781525198..comments2024-03-28T17:08:01.559-04:00Comments on Doux Reviews: Lost: The EndBillie Douxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-9572028433971564522024-01-30T19:35:45.995-05:002024-01-30T19:35:45.995-05:00I’m finally coming back to write out my thoughts f...I’m finally coming back to write out my thoughts from my 2023 re-watch of Lost. I watched this with my son (his first viewing) over about 3 weeks.<br /><br />So season 6 really is a drop off from every other season. There, I said it. It’s funny how with this being my all time favorite show I’ve somewhat blindly defended the quality of the show as a whole. Only when breaking it down and actually commenting season to season, and at times episode to episode, does it become more apparent that season 6 lacks the impact of prior seasons, with a few exceptions.<br /><br />One big reason are the addition of the temple arc, and the additional Ajira followers of Jacob. I’ve argued in previous comments that Lost holds up even after 20 years and still has a very current feel, but these two story lines simply don’t. In fact, the temple story line comes across as dated and silly now. And here in the final episode, the final battle between our heroes and the Man in Black lacks the impact that it should have based on what has come before it.<br /><br />Still, there are gems to be found in both the final season and the finale. The sideways was a curious story line but packs an incredible emotional wallop. The fates of several of the characters we love are difficult, but lended credence to the overall impact of what they were going through.<br /><br />The conclusion…I’m ok with it. I was raised deeply religious, had my faith challenged in a specific moment, and over time and much self education, settled into an agnostic belief system that understands that for some, faith is critical to peace and happiness. In that vein, I kind of like the idea that there is a ‘beyond’. That a shared set of experiences so powerful, so impactful to a group of individuals could allow them to find each other once more beyond space and time is quite beautiful. I’d like to hope that there are at least a couple people that would wait for me at the end of all space and time as well.DreadPiratenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-44010498028418037002023-10-02T13:01:53.441-04:002023-10-02T13:01:53.441-04:00I didn't mond the spiritual aspects of the fin...I didn't mond the spiritual aspects of the finale. The series was more about personal growth and connections than anything else. I'm bummed that Walt and Michael were nor inside that church. Also, why did Kate's promise to help Claire raise Aaron? She was in no position to make such a promise. Kate had broken her probation and Claire had her mother to help. I doubt that the Littleton women would want Kate anywhere near Aaron.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-42411321576522117892023-07-27T06:21:19.840-04:002023-07-27T06:21:19.840-04:00Special thanks to Billie and ChrisB. It was great ...Special thanks to Billie and ChrisB. It was great reading your thoughts after watching each episode. <br /><br />I wish I had more to say about the finale. I'm conflicted with how I feel, but I think I generally like it. More than anything, I think it made me miss season 1. I sort of miss not knowing most of what was going on in the island, and theorizing (With my friends :p) what the island was, what it meant etc... On top of that, we had great back-to-back episodes of connections being formed, and faiths being challenged. With that said, I still think this series was incredible the whole way through. I'll miss watching it. <br /><br />To anyone who reads this, have a great life :) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-24400569998604902382023-05-15T22:15:59.377-04:002023-05-15T22:15:59.377-04:00Edi, thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed m...Edi, thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed my reviews. :) I hope your next series is something we've covered so I can have some more of your well written comments.Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-32225149761491903852023-05-15T21:17:58.827-04:002023-05-15T21:17:58.827-04:00I have many, many thoughts, but none of them are p...I have many, many thoughts, but none of them are probably very original so I'll just say a few personal things here.<br /><br />I never expected to like this show. I'm not generally a fantasy fan, so I spent two decades not caring about it. I only watched it now because several people wanted me to do so. (Side note, one huge benefit of avoiding it is that I never saw spoilers. I literally knew zero about what was coming at any point, and that made it a lot more fun.)<br /><br />In the end, I liked the show a lot more than I expected, but I will confess I was mostly a fan of the characters and their relationships and, true to form, didn't care a lot about the mystical aspects. So for me, unanswered questions aren't a big deal. Real life is full of red herrings and unanswered questions and people randomly drifting in and out, so I don't get too uptight when it happens in fiction. In any case, yes: I loved the show overall.<br /><br />I enjoyed the finale far more than I expected, too, but a disclaimer is probably in order here: I'm a Christian, so religious symbolism is often important to me. However, I wasn't at all into the religious aspects of the series for lots of reasons, and I didn't find the afterlife implications of the finale compelling. I would have liked it a lot more if they had just shown that everyone was ok and happy, and skipped the rest. I didn't hate it; it just felt unnecessary and hollow to me.<br /><br />Having said that, I was shocked at how strongly I was moved by the finale in general, particularly when various characters found and remembered each other, and in moments when they demonstrated incredible strength or love. I shed a whole lot of tears and I did not expect that one bit. It was very cathartic, and I loved it.<br /><br />Finally, I'll join in the chorus of those who went before me (and, presumably, those who will go long after me) to say that these reviews are great. I looked at several when I started watching Lost and liked this one best so I stayed here and was never once disappointed. Thank you for making an already fun show ten times as much fun with your insight, humor, and engaging writing.<br /><br />And now I'm off to choose my next series. See you in another life, brotha. :-)Edinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-23655826930576222722022-07-21T07:15:43.231-04:002022-07-21T07:15:43.231-04:00I feel like a lot of LOST viewers don’t understand...I feel like a lot of LOST viewers don’t understand the show. When you ask ‘But what is the island?’, what answer could you have gotten that would have been satisfying? The show explained more about the island than I’d ever expected would happen. Why was Walt special? If it was revealed that he had been blessed by a mysterious shaman at birth, the next question would be ‘Where did the shaman come from?’ The shaman came from an ancient group of mystics who have lived on the earth for hundreds of years. ‘How did the mystics come to be?’ These questions could go on forever. There are people who are furious that we never discovered who was shooting at the Losties in the outrigger. Was this really important? It hardly classifies as a plot hole, yet so many people treat it as such. <br /><br />I loved reading your reviews during my rewatch of the show, but the ‘lack of answers’ argument is a giveaway that the viewer doesn’t really understand LOST. <br /><br />Oh and the flash-sideways wasn’t ‘heaven’. I’m not sure what would make anyone think it was…Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-48778663579011878352021-08-09T01:23:40.690-04:002021-08-09T01:23:40.690-04:00>>Jack: "You're not John Locke. You...>>Jack: "You're not John Locke. You disrespect his memory by wearing his face, but you're nothing like him."<br /><br />..."Turns out he was right about mostly everything. I only wish I could've told him that while he was still alive." !! s6 believer Jack, basically locke-ified Jack's the best part of this disappointing final season. What a great quote and a great moment. <br /><br />I never had the same issues most people did with the mysteries, even though they were all justified. It's just that the only mysteries I cared about WERE answered, even the dumb ones (cue Jack instead of asking Christian whether he's dead, he tearfully asked if they ever explained the Hurley bird (and they did! in the epilogue) - "Let it go, son"). <br /><br />We have to go back... sniff sniff.Onigirlihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10070327483035350298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-15353684092779705002021-02-26T14:39:18.861-05:002021-02-26T14:39:18.861-05:00I just thought I'd share this Vulture piece on...I just thought I'd share this Vulture piece on the finale of Lost, which also delves into what a pop cultural phenomena the show was, how it was the first and last of its kind in many ways. Lots of enlightening tidbits from interviews with the cast, writers, directors and producers.<br /><br />Watching the series over again recently kick-started my fan-boyish passion that Lost helped shaped, so I've been reading and learning a lot about it that I didn't know back when I was originally watching it on TV.<br /><br />Makes me appreciate what they made all the more.<br /><br />Here is the link, for those who are interested: https://www.vulture.com/article/lost-series-finale-oral-history-the-end.htmlLogan Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927158558530539708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-3664429412231716802020-09-30T16:07:58.952-04:002020-09-30T16:07:58.952-04:00CM, thanks so much, and welcome back! Yeah, still ...CM, thanks so much, and welcome back! Yeah, still here. We're nearing 10,000 reviews, if you can believe it.Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-32164144012759618972020-09-30T15:35:20.370-04:002020-09-30T15:35:20.370-04:00Hey Billie,
I watched Lost when it first aired and...Hey Billie,<br />I watched Lost when it first aired and looked forward to your reviews every week. In reading your thoughts about each episode it was like having a conversation with a friend about a show I love. Thank you for that. Ten plus years later, I recently subscribed to Hulu and have started rewatching the show and remembered your fantastic episode reviews. Glad I was able to find you again. I'm currently in the middle of Season 3 and I loving the show just as much as I did back then. I just saw that you posted again here and just wanted to chime in, say Hi!<br />CMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-72356736137777022532020-09-29T17:57:55.225-04:002020-09-29T17:57:55.225-04:00JG, you're so very welcome. Thanks for your co...JG, you're so very welcome. Thanks for your comment. I almost wish I could reset myself and experience <i>Lost</i> from the beginning, streaming, without the angst and effort of writing six seasons of reviews as it aired. :)Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-14179061345966349432020-09-29T17:45:56.749-04:002020-09-29T17:45:56.749-04:00Hey Billie,
Just wanted to say thanks for writing...Hey Billie,<br /><br />Just wanted to say thanks for writing these reviews. I started watching Lost for the first time at the beginning of quarantine in March, and finished it yesterday. I had a ton of fun reading these along the way, 10+ years after you wrote them, and I'm glad to see you're still doing the same thing today. Keep it up!JGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-45518684425211251972017-06-20T20:02:43.477-04:002017-06-20T20:02:43.477-04:00i loved this show. cried many times at the end. ...i loved this show. cried many times at the end. an epic hero story -- every character was a hero.<br /><br />so you didn't get all your questions answered? tough. that's life. you don't get all your questions answered in life either. accept it. move on.<br /><br />it was quite beautiful that what was most important to them was their experiences on the island and what they shared together. that island was a living hell in so many ways -- people were killed, fear, terror, loss, kidnappings -- but in the end, the bad stuff wasn't what was important nor was it what was remembered. it was the good things they shared and the love they had for each other. in none of their memories of the island did they remember anything sad. that's what i'm looking forward to in my afterlife. many people fear death, but it is life that is scary. i'm glad that they showed this -- letting go of all the crap life hands you and "moving on" (it's the best way to phrase it).<br /><br />bravo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-89038411535797538252017-02-25T16:22:36.981-05:002017-02-25T16:22:36.981-05:00I just finished a Lost rewatch, and I highly recom...I just finished a Lost rewatch, and I highly recommend it if you're looking for something to rewatch. <br /><br />The first time I watched it, at some point I started trudging through and not fully paying attention because I was annoyed by the things I realized would never be addressed. *cough" Walt "cough" This time because I knew what I was getting myself into I watched it with open eyes and picked up on things I couldn't believe I had missed the first time around. (Did you know Kate was pregnant for most of the last two seasons!?)Mariannahttp://www.mariannahorn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-57714514363120432932016-10-15T21:49:05.886-04:002016-10-15T21:49:05.886-04:00Thanks, Scott. That's an interesting piece. I ...Thanks, Scott. That's an interesting piece. I hadn't read it before.Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-72386308076136978502016-10-14T15:06:44.968-04:002016-10-14T15:06:44.968-04:00Scott, I read that a couple of years ago. Or most ...Scott, I read that a couple of years ago. Or most of it, at least.<br /><br />Everyone: I second Scott's recommendation! <br /><br />(And of course it's 42 pages. So <i>Lost</i>.)Josie Kafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892717530356699008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-69505177088198151602016-10-14T14:16:19.501-04:002016-10-14T14:16:19.501-04:00I just read this amazing piece by Javier Grillo-Ma...I just read this amazing piece by Javier Grillo-Marxuach, who was on the writing staff for Lost during the first two seasons. While he does address some nagging questions (i.e. "it was never purgatory!"), what's really fascinating is the way the mythology developed and the story unfolded in the writer's room - as well as the glimpse into the complicated relationship between showrunners, writers and network bosses. <br /><br />It's 42 pages (well worth reading), but if you just skip to the last three paragraphs, Grillo-Marxuach beautifully addresses the "were they making it all up as they went?" question. It's a really great exploration of creative process of building and sustaining this complex and groundbreaking show.<br /><br />Read it here: http://okbjgm.weebly.com/lostScott Rigganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01711526444461565186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-65699256450817885312012-07-18T11:50:01.154-04:002012-07-18T11:50:01.154-04:00ChrisB, no pressure, I was just really interested ...ChrisB, no pressure, I was just really interested to hear what your reaction was. Thanks for the honest post.<br />Based on yours and Josie's "rewatch" post, I have put Lost on my list of things to rewatch. Still gonna wait a year or so though, as it is still very fresh in my memory...and I have plenty of other things I am watching and reading.Soozenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-57698784134566651342012-07-18T02:10:30.112-04:002012-07-18T02:10:30.112-04:00Mad Men and Game of Thrones!!!Mad Men and Game of Thrones!!!Yauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00739777043491722892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-73825315282621423832012-07-18T00:01:02.665-04:002012-07-18T00:01:02.665-04:00Josie -- thanks!
I'm not sure what's next...Josie -- thanks!<br /><br />I'm not sure what's next. I have seen both <i>Buffy</i> and <i>Angel</i> several times, but have been meaning to re-watch them at some point.<br /><br />I am moving back to the States, so I am keen to catch up on the things that show earlier there than here. So, the rest of <i>Awake</i>, <i>Revenge</i> and <i>Once Upon a Time</i> are all on my late summer catch-up list.<br /><br />I also want to finish <i>The Prisoner</i> and <i>BSG</i> before I start another marathon.<br /><br />Anything I've missed? :-)ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-83161269125913450822012-07-17T18:52:31.920-04:002012-07-17T18:52:31.920-04:00ChrisB, what a lovely comment!
I am so happy that...ChrisB, what a lovely comment!<br /><br />I am so happy that you like Sawyer/Juliet as much as I do. Rewatching, I realized how incredibly that story had been written and acted: they're only a couple for a few episodes, but the connection was so obvious that we all jumped on board right away. Even though, if you had told me in Season Three that I'd root for that couple, I would have laughed my bitter laugh.<br /><br />I was particularly touched by your personal reaction to the finale, as well. As I rewatch, I'm starting to realize the fluidity of <i>Lost</i>: it has no stable meaning, but we can make it meaningful in personal ways. It has a little something for everyone. I don't think that's intentional--I think it's just luck. But I'm happy that <i>Lost</i> gave you a catharsis moment at a key point in your life.<br /><br />I'm also dying to know what your next watching project will be! Have you seen <i>Buffy</i> and <i>Angel</i>?Josie Kafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892717530356699008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-16004515194509523112012-07-17T18:36:18.003-04:002012-07-17T18:36:18.003-04:00Wow, Sooze. No pressure, then! :-)
I did not lo...Wow, Sooze. No pressure, then! :-)<br /><br />I did not love <i>Lost</i>, mostly because it was, for me, so horribly uneven. The first season and the beginning of the second were wonderful. The second half of the second season through to almost the end of the third nearly did me in with boredom. The fourth was great again; the fifth was the low point; it came back in the sixth.<br /><br />As I’ve said in previous comments, I gave up on the mystery story somewhere in the middle of the third season. The whole thing became too contrived, too obscure and, frankly, too boring as I find setting up issues without resolution to be lazy story telling and I tune out. The shark jumper for me was the entire fifth season with all the time travel and different groups of people in different times. It made no sense at the time and still makes no sense. Intellectually, this show did nothing for me.<br /><br />But, emotionally? I hung in because I fell in love with these characters in the first season and I wanted to see what happened to them. Because of this, I simply loved the finale. I cried through the vast majority of it because it was exactly what I wanted -- these people that I care about happy and with others that they love.<br /><br />All of the reunions were simply lovely to watch, but my favourite was Sawyer/Juliet. At the beginning of the episode, when they pass each other in the hall of the hospital and don’t even register each other, I was crushed. I should have had more faith.<br /><br />“This is the place that you… that you all made together so that you could find one another. The most important part of your life was the time that you spent with these people.” Christian’s statement had me sobbing to the point where I couldn’t catch my breath. On a personal note, in less than a week’s time, I am leaving the country, the home and the people I love to embark on a new adventure. As I have started packing up my life and saying goodbye to the people who have been my family for twelve years, this statement rang so true it hurt. I don’t care if these characters were in heaven, purgatory or somewhere in between. Right now, it comforts me to know that they all managed to be together in the same room again.<br /><br />I owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone here who kept me going through this marathon. Josie and Jess -- for your lovely comments and support when I all but gave up halfway through. And of course, Billie, your reviews were simply wonderful and I loved reading them. They added a dimension to the show that I simply would have missed entirely without them. So again, thanks.ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-2604614107934628252012-07-16T17:30:00.213-04:002012-07-16T17:30:00.213-04:00ChrisB - Sorry - don't read the other comment ...ChrisB - Sorry - don't read the other comment I just made until you have finished watching. There are no spoilers per se, but I don't want to taint your impression...Should have said that first.Soozenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-48074456388511641332012-07-16T17:28:06.356-04:002012-07-16T17:28:06.356-04:00Re-reading these comments...I have not yet been ab...Re-reading these comments...I have not yet been able to bring myself to re-watch the show...I can't wait to see ChrisB's take and see the view of someone who has watched over a period of weeks/months rather than 6 years. I am interested to see if that has an effect on the final analysis of "emotionally satisfying" versus "intellectually satisfying". Not to pin a lot on your Chris, but your comments may be my deciding factor of whether or not I want to take the time to re-watch. I was one of those in the camp of "bawled my eyes out, loved it" and 3 days later after the glow wore off, thought "Huh? So much turned out to be irrelevant". I am hoping a re-watch would change my mind, but I don't yet have the interest to do it.Soozenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-79400776993196969932011-12-01T12:21:38.711-05:002011-12-01T12:21:38.711-05:00The ending of this show kind of reminds me of what...The ending of this show kind of reminds me of what you would tell a child who is asking you too many annoying questions. "Why this?" "Why that?" Finally you are just like, "Hey look, an icecream truck!" That's what the writers did to the audience. They gave us this amazing last 20 minutes of the show that made us bawl our eyes out and completely forget all of our questions because we were too happy/sad/emotianlly spent at the icky sweet ending of the show....for a while anyway. Then after awhile (after we are washing all of the sticky caramel and icecream off of our faces like idiots) we think....."Hey.....what about all of our freaking questions?!" They didn't answer a damn thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com