Mathoms, etc.

It's been a few days since the emotional Lost series finale. I figured that after some thought, I could be more objective about it. Alas, I'm still "grieving and glorying" (My apologies to Ms. Vanessa Redgrave for using this phrase. She said this in reference to her daughter's, brother's and sister's passing. But it's the closest I can get to describing how I've felt since Sunday.) It's funny because people say "It's just a TV show." and I didn't even think it going off the air would have this huge effect on me. I've seen other favorite shows come and go. Yet days later, why do I still get teary-eyed thinking about this particular one? Why am I obsessing about it? As if this post wasn't enough, here are more of my ruminations.

When the series started, I was skeptical. How long could they sustain a Gilligan's Island knock-off? True, the sci-fi aspects of the show and the never-ending mysteries were enough to keep me occupied and guessing. For six seasons, it kept me interested despite some missteps. When they announced that the series was ending, I was sad but elated because that would mean answers to many questions. Instead, I was frustrated with all the other questions that sprang up from this last season. You know how they say, have low expectations and you'll never be disappointed? Brava and thanks to the creative staff and the cast, I was blown away by their endgame. I was teary-eyed, at times full-out sobbing with shoulders shaking, clapping, cheering. Totally mesmerized, touched and affected.

Although the Island was not purgatory as many people predicted, it can be considered as such because some folks think purgatory is here on earth. Why are we here? Some faiths believe that we are put here on earth to atone for past sins. Or to stop the cycle of suffering and reincarnation until we achieve Enlightenment. Some say it's to reconnect with the Divine through the human experience.

To purge is to purify, to cleanse, to be rid of. And the passengers of Oceanic 815, like everyone else, had issues they needed to free themselves from. It was a chance to reboot, not necessarily to do over, but to correct, refine themselves. I'm glad the writers didn't cop out. Everything that happened, no matter how crazy---time travel, murderous Others, conniving businessmen, magical healing powers, secret Hatch, unlucky numbers, etc.---, did happen. It was Life, as they knew it. Their new life.

The writers knew they couldn't please everyone. So they went back to resolving the characters' stories, instead of getting to the bottom of details like the Egyptian hieroglyphics, the statue, who made Mother the Guardian, who made Jacob the boss of the Man in Black, why the MIB became a smoke monster. The transformations each character went through was astonishing. Jack, a man of reason, going on blind faith that extinguishing the Light would allow him to destroy Smokie. Sawyer finding love with Juliet. Locke's faith eventually destroying him---with a little help from science: electromagnetism.

Did they find the meaning of life? Perhaps not. But they did learn a thing or two from Jack's motto: "If we can't live together, we die alone." Physically, we may die alone. But we are accompanied on that final journey by our family and friends. And we are met on the other side by those who have gone before.

Favorite scenes? The final Island scenes interspersed with Sideways world, the church door opening and letting in the light as the Lostaways moved on to the next plane of existence together. The re-awakening scenes were especially moving. Top 1 fave? Hands down: the image of Jack's eye closing. With Vincent the dog keeping him company as his soul departed. The shepherd being shepherded. The series began with Jack's eye opening. It was Dr. Shephard being awakened to his life. We hear it all the time: be present, be in the Now, wake up to your life, pay attention. So to see him finally close his eyes meant that now he can rest. It's poetic and beautiful. My heart aches and bursts with joy just thinking about it.

It would be great to look back on this post years from now. (Time travel anyone?) As it stands, I can rehash, argue, analyze this episode for a long time. And that's quite a feat for the writers. I haven't even re-watched the episode yet. I'm not prepared to put my emotions through the ringer again. For now, I will be content to celebrate and mourn the loss of an innovative, exasperating and thought-provoking show. I surrender to my geekiness and obsession.

Good luck and best wishes to everyone involved with the show. Thanks for a great ride.