It has been a while since I wrote in detail about Lost. In fact, I believe the last time I wrote about it was the second to last episode of Season 3, "Greatest Hits." It wasn't that the season finale was bad by any means. It was partially laziness and partially that I just really didn't feel like I had anything important to say about it. Season 4 has now been going for a month, and I have yet to put in my two cents. There is a reason for that. To be entirely honest, I have not yet admitted this to anybody, Lost was starting to scare me. The premiere felt more like (dare I say it) a filler episode, and those that followed just really seemed to drag on this situation. It was cool to use the flashfoward to reveal some of the party get off the island, but, are they really going to drag on this Oceanic 6 deal for the entire mini-season, and possibly beyond? The flashfowards of this season have just really been unfullfilling as it feels like they are getting away from what originally made Lost so amazing, character development. Hurley is back in the nuthouse, Jack is still acting douchy, Kate is still a woman (roar), and Sayid is still falling in love with people he is meant to kill. What happened to the theme of redemption?
*Knock Knock*
Oh! Excuse me, I seem to have somebody at the door.
Who is it?
Oh! Desmond!
"Aye brotha."
Just what we needed. Now, if you are reading this, then I am assuming that you watched the episode, so this doesn't call for any kind of recap. Rather, I just want to express how much and why this episode was so good.
As mentioned, the last few weeks have sort of been a letdown. Lost didn't really feel "back." As soon as last nights episode started though, and I saw it was a Desmond episode, I knew that would change. Normally, in life, I find high expectations are setting yourself up to be let down. Amazingly, last night was an exception to this rule thus returning hope to the Universe.
Now as the episode continued, I had to try to not treat it logically. Sometimes, you just have to give poetic licsense. Not so much the time travel deal, rather, the entire concept of "the constant." Why couldn't Desmond's constant have been a fucking doughnut? Or say, that rocket scientist on the Island. It really doesn't make any sense to me, but fuck it. Last season, in one of the highlights of the show, the episode, "Flashes Before Your Eyes" featured Desmond going back to the day he decided not to marry Penny. He foolishly decided to not change the future and soon found himself back on the island, naked. Cue man crying scene. Desmond screams, 'just give me another chance. I'll do it right this time, just give me another chance.'
Last night, Desmond got that chance. Now, tell me if it's just me, but I honestly thought it was possible that he could die at the end of the episode. Has anybody died yet this season? Besides Naomi of course. It's been a pretty dry winter on Lost in terms of blood. As Desmond calls her and that phone rings, I really have to say, I was on the edge of my seat. When she picks up, and you have that contact...ugh. I can't even tell you what I was feeling. I suppose that is what love feels like...must be nice.
Anyway, Lost is back. Rock on. Thank you writers. And thank you Desmond.
First, let me say I'm sorry this entry is coming up a few days later then I had planned. That being said, this will be a spoiler for anybody who has not watched this week's episode of Lost yet, "Greatest Hits." Now, like any blog I write, I have to start with the beginning, years and years ago.
Years ago, I read the Lord of the Rings. I warned you, you have now entered dork zone. I remember reading the end of The Two Towers, namely the scene with Sam and Shelob (the giant spider) and chapters of The Return of the King, leading from Sam as the ring bearer to the ring being casted into the cracks of Mount Doom (keep in mind, the events of The Two Towers with Shelob actually were in the third movie... so if you haven't read the book, don't bother trying to correct me). As I was reading these chapters, I kept thinking that I had never read anything that was so desperate, lonely, and heroic. Here were two hobbits from the Shire, miles from home, enduring so much suffering. You have Frodo to the point where he can't even walk anymore, and there is Sam, willing to carry Frodo on his back up the cliffs of Mount Doom, starved, dying of thirst, well aware that atop Mount Doom they will surely meet their death. Now, I am no poet, so I really can't convey their experience, so I will just recommend that you read it yourself. The point is, I thought that I had never read anything so cool.
Now, more recently, just a few months ago, I was thinking, how cool would it be if you could somehow write a story that in some way embodied this same desperation portrayed in the novel? Some modern version of the story. I'm reminded of the time in 2nd grade when I had to write a short story in class, I decided to write about being the last remaining soldier in the Gulf War. Of the Iraqis, there was just Saddam and his right- hand man. But just when you think I am ready to save the day, what do you know, I only have two bullets left. No way I could pull that off. So what do I do?
Just watch the first 1:40 (including the best line from the movie).
"I hope that's not a hostage." Classic. Anyway, I don't think my story included a chick, or Saddam falling out the window. Having just watched the movie with my dad though, I guess I thought it was worth stealing... or perhaps make homage to. But, as usual, I digress.
When I first finished watching the "Greatest Hits" last Wednesday, I thought, "alright, that episode didn't really move the plot or anything. Just kind of set- up for next week." Then, the next day, I thought about the episode more and more. I realized, this episode was not so much just set- up for the finale. If you look at the episode in and of itself, it was in many ways unlike any other episode. It was a Eulogy to Charlie. I don't think I'm going to win any awards for this obvious observation, but hear me out on the rest of what I have to say.
My respect for the episode goes back to my original Lost post, about why it is such a great show. In my opinion, Charlie has come to win a huge amount of respect from me. I don't mean the character, the actor rather. Whatever his name is, Dominic Mohaganan or whatever, too lazy to go to imdb. You know, Charlie, seen here playing Merry in The Lord of the Rings:
Isn't he cute? Anyway, I didn't really care for Charlie at the beginning. As an actor, he was whatever. This season though, he has really begun to show his skills. If I were nailing Kate in real life though, I guess I would be pretty good at what I do too. I guess you'll just have to settle for this sex starved blog entry instead. Really though, the guy was playing a hobbit just a few years ago, now he got Claire in the show, AND he is sleeping with Kate off the show. Talk about having your cake and eating it too. And meanwhile, poor Josh Holloway, Sawyer, the guy could probably be sleeping with 100 (quantity) 18 (quality) year old virgins right now... but, well, he's married. I'm starting to think I have been reading too many gossip blogs.
Now, unlike most people, I didn't mind the ride the short bus episode, you know, male bonding 101, find a beat up VW and drink beer episode. I really enjoyed it because it helped develop this brotherhood that has developed on the island. I enjoy the fact that you really see this development of Hurley and Charlie's friendship, or even just Charlie, Hurley, and Desmond singing by the campfire. These things, in my opinion were essential to help prepare for episodes like this weeks.
So let me get to the point. It was on Thursday that I realized, the reason I liked the "Greatest Hits" so much, was because it had achieved what I always wanted to do (also making me hate it in a jealous kind of way). This was Sam and Frodo entering Mordor. Now, I am not going to make the argument that the writers were intending to make some homage to The Lord of the Rings, however, sort of in the way that they say Shakespeare wrote every kind of story that exists and everything else is just variations of that, I feel as though this episode does the same. (Most recently, by the way, I hear they are making a Israel- Palestine version of Romeo and Juliet. Man, couldn't see that one coming. "Herschel, your love is so wrong... but it feels so good.")
Anyway, for what seems like a long time now, we have heard again and again, Charlie is going to die. I guess it is like a weaker version of what is in the hatch. Will Charlie die? Finally, with this episode, there are no more Catch 22's. It is time for Charlie to finally die. In knowing that his death will help save Claire and baby Aaron, Charlie is willing to push that button. As the episode progresses, Charlie's best memories flash before his eyes and make his list of greatest moments. This is the Eulogy portion of the show. Now, to see if I'm alone on this one, I googled "Greatest Hits Lost Lord of the Rings." The only things I found were people making a fuss about the ring memory being a shout out to Lord of the Rings. If it is, it is a very loose connection, I mean, it's not like the ring has any special powers (YET!). If anything though, it could all be a part of the intended homage. I especially enjoyed that flashback though, because while you thought the memory was going to be about this:
it turned out to be about this:
To me, this kind of shows the maturity of Charlie's character. How lame is that?
So Charlie embarks on this adventure, off to the Looking Glass hatch, to kill himself, and save the rest. Certainly a heroic effort. Dominic did a great job though, conveying this last mile.
You feeling that? No? Well, fuck you. Anyway, I guess it would really have been appropriate if Charlie had set off with Hurley into the sunset on his suicide mission, more Frodo and Samesq, but let's face it. Hurley really was too big for that boat.
I'm sorry Hurley! It's true though. No hard feelings right? Yeah? Well, fuck you too! Damn, just looking at that picture still makes me feel bad. This brings me to another connection. Just as Frodo felt that the burden of the ring was his own, and that the pain, suffering, and temptation should not be shared with any others, so Charlie felt the need to lie to Hurley and go on his own. So alas, we are left with just Charlie and Desmond, rowing out to a Mordor of sorts.
Now, on his last stretch, much as Sam and Frodo did, dreaming of happier times in the Shire, Charlie has only his last happy memory to look back on. The event that finally helped move away from the heroin addict rock star, and take off that hood.
This was a perfect clip to show Charlie's transformation. Can somebody tell me if this was really from Season 1 or if they refilmed this. Well, wake up Charlie, time to die.
Sorry. It's that whole, watching men cry thing. And the music. Speaking of. As shit has gone down this season, I like how the music has evolved into this drone sound they keep playing as the intensity builds.
Anyway, one last time to be a martyr. Desmond wants to go in your place Charlie (kind of like Sam).
Whack! Take that! There's only one hero in this tale, asshole.
And so, in goes Charlie. And what is this? Charlie isn't alone.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Charlie?
Cue the Ferris Bueller music, "Bow Bow... Oh Yeeeeeeeeah."
Anyway, regardless of the writers intentions, this is why I enjoyed the episode. This also got me to thinking, one of the major themes of Lord of the Rings is that when there is love for another person, anything is possible. Hence, Sam's love for Frodo gives him the strength to kill a giant spider. This isn't so far from Lost, or most stories, truth be told. Desmond's love for Penne, Charlie for Claire, and the rest. The writers of Lost are admittedly dorks. They are Star Trek fans and likely Lord of the Rings fans. I'm sure many of these themes appear in many books and movies, it was especially done well here though. And so, Sam's story ended with a happy ending. He returned home and had a family. The book ends simply, Sam says, I'm possibly paraphrasing, 'Well, I'm back.' Will the Lost survivors see the same fate? I guess we will know in 2010. Meanwhile, what will be the big twist next week? It is so big, the writers can only describe it as "the snake in the mailbox." Jump the shark? Well, Tolkein pulled it off, building up to a great ending, can Lost? Fuck they had better.
Sorry for being such a dork. I will now return to being awesome.
First and foremost, I should admit the following. When Lost first came out, I couldn't have cared less. I had heard there was this buzz floating around about some show about a plane crashing on an island. I thought, well, maybe that is cool, but all the wrong people liked the show. Then I heard the show, for substance, went through flashbacks of all the characters and I concluded, "fuck that." This was further supported after, one Wednesday night, I watched an episode...it was horrible.
Now the only reason why I find it necessary to mention all of this, is to say, I too, like some of the readers out there, may be too be thinking, "fuck that." Others may think that it could be a good show but they just don't have the time or enough interest to invest in another show. Well, allow me to continue.
So then the year was 2006. I was in the middle of my last semester at Berkeley, working on my thesis. I borrowed the first season on DVD from a friend. Fellow blogger, Gunny McPeterson and I decided to give it chance, with the intention of justifying our preemptive hatred for the show. We put the first episode in sometime around 8 P. M. I think it was around 6 A. M. when yet another episode ended and without saying a word, we looked at each other, nodded, both well aware what we had just agreed to. Finally, taking only a couple breaks for food, sleep, and class, we were able to complete the entire first season within 48 hours. We were, needless to say, blown away. Since then, I have been a hardcore Lost fan. It is the only thing I have ever really followed the blogs on and the only show I have every truly followed. So why is Lost such a good show?
EPIC PROPORTIONS What immediately struck me by the show, as I assume most of America, was the sheer epic extent of the show. I remember being a bit pissed off that they didn't show the actual plan crash. As it developed progressively through the seasons, I can see why. But in those opening minutes, amidst the chaos of the burning wreckage, the opening shot is simply of the eyeball of one man, clad in his tattered suit, confused as to what the hell just happened, laying down in the middle of a forest. Once he comes to, he returns to "fix things." The plane is in shambles, people bleeding all around him. Luckily, there is a doctor in the house. In the middle of this hell, characters emerge. The doctor, the fat guy, the Black guy, those Koreans, everybody shows their face. All of this on the gorgeous island (filmed in Hawaii). I read, as many of you may know, this was the most expensive pilot ever made. Money well spent in my book. As the show has progressed, the large ensemble cast has developed, each with their own story. This is no easy task for a television show to pull off, with only one hour every week, somehow keep the audience interested in every character. And then, to continue to add more characters throughout the seasons, this is one bold move. Yet the show pulls it off. Throughout the series, I am always blown away by the epic landscapes, the vast depth of the plots, and the cinematic charm the show has. It is one epic son of a bitch. A far ways from Gilligan's Island.
The Music Now this is where you really have to watch the show as I can't convince you of it. It isn't that I am a bad blogger, but rather, ABC, like NBC as Dr. No Face has pointed out, has made it impossible to find full clips of the show on youtube. There is not some original epic score like Ben Hur or anything, consistently though, it just works.
Men Crying I may lose some of you here (if I haven't already), but I don't know why, but for some reason, if you take a male, alpha male works best, and you drive him to the point of tears, not because he just got his balls ripped off or something, but say, oh, I don't know, 30 years ago, some wacko con-man slept with your mother, stole your dad's money, to which your dad killed your mother, then killed himself, and all of a sudden, after 30 years of searching, you just came face- to- face with the same asshole con- man, throw in some intense piano chords, and bam, you have yourself some excellent television.
Breaking the 4th Wall What show could be good if it didn't break the 4th wall? I think The Fresh Prince of Bel- Air pulled this off best when at the beginning of one of the later seasons, Will's buddy, Jazz, asked, 'who is playing the mom this season?' Then, Nikki, who was just a baby in the previous season finale, enters a 6- year old boy, 'the same mommy I had last season.' Will, then comments, 'they grow up so fast.' Sorry, back to Lost. Once in a while, Lost makes fun of itself, usually with Hurley. There are the obvious jokes, why hasn't Hurley lost any weight. Or Sawyer's question, "who the hell is Paolo?" The fact is, the show knows what it is. From interviews and press conferences, the writers have always impressed me with their knowledge of other shows. They are well aware of the risk they constantly run of 'jumping the shark.' They know it is absurd that of the 40 some odd survivors, we only focus on these few 13 who always happen to be the center of attention. It is television after all. They might as well have fun with it.
Editing Again, as with the music, this is something you really need to see if for yourself. Obviously, Lost faces a major challenge by having the present story while showing flashbacks to the characters before the island. Ultimately, the goal is to show, what the fuck does this flashback have to do with today? Usually, not always, it is pulled off with flying colors.
Hand- held camera One of the problems I always have watching a war movie is the hand- held work. I usually get a headache and scream, "stick the fucking thing on a tripod already!" Alas, Lost, due to the challenge of filming far from the typical Hollywood set, constantly uses hand- held cameras. What is amazing though, is half the time, I don't even think about it. This isn't really something to write home about, but it is just another way that Lost pulls it all off.
Character Development This, to me, is the most important part. First, let me preface this by saying that to begin, Lost has some of the best characters of any show I have ever watched. Each in their own unique way too. A few months ago, I was reading that the writers really didn't want the audience to be so fixated on the Dharma Initiative and who the hell the Others are. Instead, they wanted people to care about, who would Kate choose? Jack or Sawyer? When I read this I thought, "FUCK YOU Damon Lideloff! Don't get so fucking full of yourself! Just fucking write what you're good at and keep this fucking bullshit out of it." Several months later, I have to admit, I care. The coolest thing about the show when it first began, wasn't really the hatch, or the Numbers. It was the 'tabla rosa,' the idea that this island was a blank slate for all of the survivors. As much the characters past has been revealed, it has come to be that each character was 'lost' in their own way. The island is that second chance. This is best exemplified by Desmond's character who now only wants one more chance with his true love Penelope as he will 'do it right this time.' The island has taken each character from hell and back again, and as the audience, we have witnessed this all the way. Only occasionally, have I thought that somebody did something out of character, and for television, occasionally isn't bad. Each character has had their own revelations and maturities that have been nothing but well executed. To me, it has thus far been a job well done.
So what do the assholes of the world say?
The show is just drawn out. The writers make it up as they go along. Well. First of all, fuck you. Second, just watch one random episode from Season 1, then one episode, say this week's, and just try and tell me it is drawn out. Things have developed to the point that it is difficult just to recount how it all got here. Third, fuck you. Fourth, what if the writers do make it up as they go along? For one thing, if they didn't know what was in the hatch when they wrote it, then job well done for thinking that up over the summer. Because I don't care what the hell you think, what was in the hatch not only topped any 'who shot J. R. ?' cliffhanger, but it was cool and really advanced the plot. This isn't to mention that the writers have said for a long time now that they have a beginning, middle, and end planned for the show. Either way, I don't care. They have proven to me, with their ability to add characters well into the show (Desmond really only had a full episode at the end of Season 2 and is now my favorite character) and develop great plots continuously.
I don't like Science Fiction Fuck off. Don't be such an elitist. Like you haven't enjoyed some horror movie. Just because you like Lost doesn't mean you have to attend ComicCon or learn Kilingong (I have no idea how to spell it... go ahead, correct me... dork). While I'm on that subject, I think it is great that Lost has really built on this whole television 2.0 so to speak, having show secrets revealed online and what not, but fuck, who gives a fuck? Just worry about staying on the air, don't invest time and money into this bullshit that to me, discredits the name. I'm lazy, so click this link: http://www.cityofsound.com/blog/2006/03/why_lost_is_gen.html Hyperlinks take too much work. And I have a cold. Anyway, the writers said that when all is explained, there will be nothing supernatural about the show. If they can pull that off... awesome. If not, hey, I enjoyed it. Bottom line though, as the writers have said, it is really a show about characters. Not monsters and polar bears.
Anyway, as mentioned, I have a cold. People have been yelling at me for weeks for not posting. And I need to eat before Lost starts tonight. So I'm not going to proofread this. In closing, if you don't watch Lost, you probably have no taste, and it is likely that you spend your time watching snuff films. At least I have something to look forward to on Wednesdays. What do you look forward to? American Idol? Go fuck yourself.
Anyway, Lost is back. Rock on. Thank you writers. And thank you Desmond. 
