From the start, there’s been a huge concern on whether or
not LOST would be able to adequately answer all of the questions it raised.
But I think the producers were pretty upfront in stating that they weren’t
going to answer all of those questions. If you listen to the commentaries on
the DVDs or read their comments as the series moved along (especially when they
had an end date in view), they were fairly explicit in stating that the series
was more about the characters than the mysteries. The island and all its
history, the time travel stuff were all a means to engaging the characters and
the bigger questions of life like forgiveness, fate, free will, redemption,
etc. To my mind, this is very analogous to the Twilight Zone wherein the Twilight Zone is
never explained but serves a backdrop for some very intriguing studies of the
human condition. Think of LOST as an on-going Twilight Zone episode and maybe
its resolution is more satisfying.
Did the show have its flaws? Absolutely. You can’t mention Nicki and Paulo or Jack’s tattoo story without grimacing. Was the ending trite and universalist? I don’t think so. Say what you will about the stained glass in the background with all the symbols of varying faiths. All I know is that they ended up in a church and that there were two lingering shots of Jesus with his arms stretched out leading into that church. I never expected them to say “It really is all about Jesus!” but I think they pointed in that direction way more than most non-TBN television.
For me, LOST functioned as a work of art. A great work of art leaves things open to interpretation, poses questions that go unanswered, creates patterns that are maybe meaningful. In the end, art isn’t about answering questions — it’s about the journey, about the movement from one perspective to another. It’s about creating something intriguing, multi-layered and beautiful. In that sense, LOST provided answers even while it asked more questions.
I was content with the "big" answers to the big questions — resolutions provided through a story of epic adventure, tragic consequences, heartfelt and poignant moments of humor and grace, and, ultimately, a redemptive ending. LOST thrilled me, intrigued me, surprised me and touched me. As a narrative it tapped into the simple, profound truths of great works of literature like Our Town and The Lord of the Flies. It conclusion reaffirmed what the story had been underscoring all along: what happens matters, death is real, faith and science are not opposed to each other, fate and free will are more connected than we realize and than living together is always better than dying alone. The title of the show alone has always referred as much to the characters’ souls as it has their location.
Lost was a like a televised Rorshach test--where you provided the interpretation. And yet, LOST was a show that could not be watched alone—it brought people together into meaningful conversation. LOST dared to explore questions and themes that are way bigger and more important than who’s going to win the next reality TV show and who do you love to hate more in this season of The Apprentice. I remain grateful for this thoughtful, ambiguous and fascinating show that made me think and wonder. It is a formula for television that is not easily replicated and won’t be for a long time...
Chris,
Could not agree more with you on this one...I have missed some of the LOST series, but loved the final. If we could but more fully appreciate the redemptive story telling that is taking place through various art forms, including television, we would gain a bigger picture of God, including the God we know in Jesus Christ.
Posted by: Bryan Burton | May 28, 2010 at 10:16 AM
" ...there were two lingering shots of Jesus with his arms stretched out leading into that church. "
,,,I hope it didn't escape people that a 'Christian Shepherd' gathered the 'lost' and led them to the light.
Posted by: David Busby | May 27, 2010 at 08:43 PM