Zachary Koenig |
Date: 2010-06-14
In the annals of television history, LOST occupied a unique position, that being the ability to set its own ending date. Thus, when this Sixth Season debuted in 2010, everybody knew it would be the final go-round. As a result, the ABC advertising machine cranked out spot after spot regarding how "all questions would be answered" in this final season. One could almost accuse them of false advertising.
Why is that important to the review of this product? Because it will severely affect the way you perceive the sixth and final season of LOST. If you hang on every promo "guaranteeing" you answers and are disappointed when the episode doesn't answer everything (like I did for about the first half of the season), this season will be a monumental disappointment for you. However, if you just sit back and enjoy the ride like in the previous five seasons (what I eventually did for the latter half of the season), you will find things most enjoyable once again.
For a brief summary of season six (some spoilers ahead), we rejoin our castaways wondering whether or not the explosion at the end of Season Five worked. It seems it has...and hasn't. On one hand, the Oceanic 815 survivors are still on the island (having been blown forward in time to the present) like the bomb didn't work. However, flash-sideways show a glimpse into a life where supposedly the bomb DID work and Oceanic 815 lands as planned. The rest of the season goes back and forth between the two, as well as explaining more about characters such as Richard Alpert, Jacob, and the Man in Black (who takes on an enormous role in this final campaign). Then, of course, there is the ending, which will easily go down in history as one of the most stunning (whether good or bad) of all-time.
There are many good and bad things that can be said about the final season of LOST, but here is why I enjoyed it: Once again, JJ Abrams, Carlton Cuse, and Damon Lindolof managed to blow my mind. Once I started to sit back and enjoy the ride instead of hanging on every sentence for some sort of "answer", I began to enjoy this season as immensely as any previous. My only real complaint is that it took the ENTIRE season (literally, down to the final scene) to understand exactly what the flash-sideways meant. It wasn't like Season Four (flash-forwards) or Season Five (time-travel) that laid out the new and mind-blowing premise right at the very beginning. This time, there is a whole lot of confusion before understanding finally comes (making a repeat viewing almost necessary to fully appreciate the season).
As for that "controversial" ending, let me just say this: despite all the venom being spewed about it at this time, it is very possible that you just might enjoy it to the fullest (like I did). It will take a little while to process everything you see in the big finale episode, but once it "goes through" you will be able to make the decision of whether or not you found it a worthy ending to the greatest TV show ever produced. Contrary to current popular opinion, it is possible to answer that question in the affirmative.
Thus, although I truly believe that LOST was at its very peak in seasons 2-4, I cannot drop this season below five stars due to continued quality storylines, characters, and mind-bending thematic material. Please, though, don't go in with your guard up and notebook in hand. Just watch, enjoy, bask, and (most importantly) FEEL. If you can do those things, this season will rise above its so-so reputation for you.
