I thought “The End” was beautiful in both its symmetry and simplicity. Legions of fans are probably already complaining that may mysteries were not solved. Indeed, may were not. But to complain about such things is missing the whole point of the show as revealed in the final few minutes. Right until the very end, Lost kept its tradition of making episodes classics in the final act.The Calvinist in me makes me a big picture kid of guy. The nit picky geek in me has been disappointed by many of the answers we have gotten this season. The smoke Monster was created by Jacob when he threw Hobbes into the light/ Okay. That sort of thing did not sing or dance. My imagination conjuring up possible theories was much better. So forget where the DHARMA food drop came from and just assume it was Jacob’s doing. Look at the big picture instead. I imagine if you cannot do that--or really hated the divine intervention explanation for Battlestar Galactica--neither ‘The End“ or my review is going to be your cup of tea.
There have been hints from the beginning some state of purgatory was in play. Looking back, I recall Jack telling Kate their past lives no longer mattered, Desmond’s frequent, “See you in another life,” and the whispers being the souls of those trapped beyond redemption. It clicked for good in the first few minutes of “The End” when Kate snickered at the name Christian Shepard . He was to shepherd souls into the afterlife.
I note things were not that straightforward. It wound up being more Egyptian mythology than Christian theology. Given the hieroglyphics, ankhs, and the goddess of fertility Arawet, it comes as o surprise The Egyptian goddess Ma’at is the ancient Egyptian concept of order, balance, and justice--also recurring themes in Lost. Ma’at was personified as a goddess whose original purpose was to prevent the world from plunging into chaos, but later evolved into weighing the value of souls trapped in the underworld. Her favor determined whether the condemned could reach paradise. the important part was their actions on the island redeemed them.
So that is what the flash sideways was. A temporary stop for those found worthy before heading off to paradise. It makes sense when you pay attention to what Christian told Jack about some dying before on the island and some dying after. Everyone met up at the church at the age they were at on the island no matter what age they truly died. You can use your own imagination as to how the survivors’ lives played out.
In the same regard that I am not going to pick nits about answers, I am not going to blow by blow recap events and dissect them to death. Suffice to say, events paralleled either past island events such as Kate helping Claire give birth to Aaron or events had the opposite results. My favorite was the point where Jack through DarkLocke off the cliff. He was twisted in such a way his spine had to be broken. Simultaneously, Jack repaired Locke’s spine in purgatory. It all served as a love letter to longtime fans. Seeing long dead characters return to be reunited in eternity
The book ending of Jack’s eye popping open in the pilot to him closing it for the last time in the final scene with Vincent laying beside him. Perfect. I was already tearing up because of Jack’s last talk with his father when the story of Lost became perfectly clear.
I wonder how many people thought immediately back to the scene in the fourth season in which Hurley split his canny bar with Ben when Hurley became the island’s protector with Ben as his close advisor.
For six years, Lost has been an incredible experience for me. It has not all been great, but so may of the themes about reflections upon life, fate, and redemption have been issues I have had to deal with in my own life. I discovered Lost just a few months after my health took its irreversible down hill journey. While I cannot assign it undue influence--theology and philosophy have done a much better job, I do not dismiss the fact certain character arcs have hit close to home. I am sad to see Lost go, but it was great while it was here.
Rating: ***** (out of 5)
