Posted on 10/09/2010 10:22:42 PM PDT by This Just In
As many of you know, my family and I do not watch television. Well, perhaps I should clarify. We do not watch televised programming. Needless to say, we don't keep up on popular programming.
Last week, during a family outing, we found a used DVD set of the first 'LOST' series. For those of you who are not familiar with my posts, as a general rule, I don't trust what is usually produced in Hollywood. I find a majority of the films and programs to be veiled Socialist/Communist, nihilistic propaganda.
The 'LOST' series did not disappoint. I found the liberal stereotypes to by typical, and J.J. and Co. didn't bother to veil their ideology in the series.
You have your typical "redneck"(Sawyer), "Conservative"(Shannon), "religious wacko"(John Locke), and the rest of the cast and motley crue of social rejects and garden variety criminals. To be "fair", we're also given your kinder-gentler do-gooders as well.
If I sound cynical it is only because I am. I found this series to be devoid of any transcending quality, and quite frankly, I feel as thoe J.J. is actually pulling the wool over the viewers eyes.
Must to my chagrin, some in our family finds the series to be very entertaining. So much so that after we viewed the first season, my loved ones bought the second. I find this program to be a complete waste of time, but I sit and view the episodes so that our family can share time together as well as discuss the series.
I am here to ask Freepers to help me out; bottom-line me here. I can no longer endure this series without finding out where the writers are taking the viewers.
Here is what I believe the jest of the story is. In just a few words, it seems to me that the island is either Dante's Purgatory, some place in the "after-life". I believe that everyone on the island is dead, but that the "Hatch" and underground dwellings like it are perhaps just another level of hell, or something like that.
I don't have the time, nor to I wish to waste anymore in expressing my opinion on what I believe is the overall message in the 'LOST' series.
So, would someone please provide me with a summary of what's going on, and what the conclusion to this story is?
What happens to Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Michael, Walt, Vincent, Charlie, Claire, Aaron, Rousseau, John Locke, Hurly? What happened to Jack's father? What is the source of the smoke and explosions in the jungle? What happened to Rose and Bernard?
I'm LOST.
If you’re that hostile to the show and it’s supporters, why are you even on here asking for opinions? Ever heard of Google? Or do you not use that either?
Are you Amish?
we all knew we probably wouldn't get final complete answers and we didn't....
for me...there was more Christianity in the show than anything else...you could feel the hope and the charity....there was nothing quite so moving as having Mr. Eko recite Psalm 23...
it was a series of choices...good vs evil..temptation....anger...how to make amends... redemption..
not perfect, at times it dragged, but overall a very beautiful series....
If you are not interested in being helpful, why are you on this thread? If my opinion offends you, which it does, read someone elses thread.
Seriously though, my favorite episode of the series was the one where we learned that Vincent the dog is God, because dog is God spelled backwards. I feel sort of guilty revealing such an important spoiler to someone who hasn't watched the whole series. But he did ask.
No, you sound absurd. You ask for people who have watched Lost to fill you in... and when some of them respond, you act hostile and condescending in your tone... which is kind of self-defeating. Didn’t you think the people who could most answer your inquiries would be fans?
And I don’t have to read (or respond) on another thread... unless you want to try to get this locked as a “caucus” thread. Why don’t you PING the religion mod to see... lol
I don’t mind the information at all. I have visited several sites which feature a description of the episodes, characters, etc.
From what I have gathered, the jest is that the characters I asked about all died in the plane crash.
I don’t know about the Others (where they came from, but I’m assuming they’re like the rest of the castaways) or the Man in Black vs. Jacob. I may find out; my family may buy the entire series.
But, to be fair, about 99 percent of what is on cable, satellite and DVD disk, all falls into what I call 'junk TV.'
I'm 69 years old, and view most of today's pop culture - and 'entertainment' as despicable crap.
“...you act hostile and condescending in your tone... which is kind of self-defeating.”
You’re actually the individual being hostile. After all, you’re the one who used the word twice.
You said:
“Ever heard of Google? Or do you not use that either?”
Why the sarcasm? Either?
You also said:
“Are you Amish?”
Perhaps you will qualify your accusations and quote my “hostile”, and, “condescending” words.
My thread clearly states my opinion as well as my question. I’ve been a member of FR long enough to know that I’d hear from both fans of the series as well as a host of other with an opinion and/or comment.
If seems to me that you don’t like anyone who disagrees with your view on this topic. If that’s the case, I can appreciate the difference. As a matter of fact, there are several Freepers who showed some class and expressed their opinions without the personal attacks despite the fact that we disagreed.
Your closing lines speak much in terms of its juvenile comments and petty insults.
There were 48 characters who survived the plane crash In the opening episode. As the seasons wore on, some died here and there to various causes but by no means did the plane crash kill everyone. In fact, as a minor spoiler, 6 of them manage to get off the island at the end od season 4 and return home - they were very much alive on that island. In fact, season four goes into why it was basically impossible for them to be rescued or get off the island themselves.
I can count on one hand the number of shows I watched in the last 5 years because I can’t stand much of TV these days either. Lost, 24, and Battlestar Galactica...I don’t think you would like any of them, but to me they beat shlock like American Idol and Survivor hands down.
I appreciate the info. Thanks.
So the island is an actual place on earth? It is not in “another life”?
I’ve never seen 24, and I’ve watched perhaps one or two episodes of BG (and you’re right, I didn’t care for the show).
You’ve been infected. You’re now a commie. You should have known better than to buy those DVDs.
Nice going, tovarisch.
The is an actual place, yes. If you don’t mind being spoiled, it’s a unique location that exists on Earth but slightly out of phase with normal space-time. Time flows on the island at the same rate but a bit off from the rest of the world. The island can also move thru time and change locations on the Earth, which is why non one can find it unless by accident or by direct influence from Jacob. Also explains how a small plane can end up there from Nigeria, as the island would’ve been near Africa for that to be possible.
On a positive note, the DVD’s are used, and we purchased from a private owner. :^)
gave it a try a couple of times, was bored to death, can’t tell you anything
Well it certainly is a reason not to watch Lost.
If my TV was busted, I probably would not know it for the better part of a year.
No, I don’t mind any spoilers.
I now understand. This sounds more like a Sci-fi series.
So, those who were murdered or died from illness or injury actually suffered death.
What happens to the main characters? Does Michael and Walt return to the island?
Not to mention the Black Rock, it would’ve had to crash on the island somewhere in the Atlantic. It moves around quite a bit and it was a serious challenge for the Dharma folks to find it.
Not to mention the Black Rock, it would’ve had to crash on the island somewhere in the Atlantic. It moves around quite a bit and it was a serious challenge for the Dharma folks to find it.
Now that’s another mystery. The ship was quite a distance inland. Now, either the storm as catastrophic, and a tsunami or massive flood swept the ship inland, or the Black Rock was stranded by some other means.
I’ve read through most of your responses and you seem to be looking for a fight, for some reason, rather than an explanation.
Objectively, Lost was one of the best TV shows in recent memory. Subjectively (meaning IMHO) it was very good. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. If you feel compelled by your family to watch it then do so. If you want answers there are multitudes of web sites with video, discussion, etc., that would answer any legitimate questions you might have.
But I think that you just want to vent so please don’t bother to educate yourself, just blather on until you feel OK w/ yourself. Have a nice day.
I’ve posted over 25 comments on this thread. To express an opposing view and differences in interest does not amount to a “fight”.
As a matter of fact, perhaps you can provide quotes in order to substantiate your personal attack.
YOU SAID:
“Ive read through most of your responses and you seem to be looking for a fight, for some reason, rather than an explanation.”
“But I think that you just want to vent so please dont bother to educate yourself, just blather on until you feel OK w/ yourself. Have a nice day.”
Who is blathering? You’re projecting, and you’re being disingenuous. Other Freepers on this thread have managed to provide insightful answers as well as comments, so I guess you’re the one with the problem.
You read “most” of my posts? If that were true, you’d know that I have visited other websites.
Try to be honest and up front; you’re angry because I don’t care for a series you believe to the be, “...one of the best TV shows in recent memory.”
Most of the characters did die eventually. Jack, Hurley, Kate, Sayid, Aaron, and Sun made it off the island but then returned at the behest of Jacob. Locke also eventually made it off but then died in LA, a major plot point later in the series. There were very few of the original cast who survived to the end, but Sawyer, Kate, and Claire eventually made it off at the end with a few other characters introduced in later seasons. Hurley survived and became the new ‘Jacob’, with Ben as his right hand. Together, the two of them eventually go back to fetch Walt and bring him back to the island, where he supposedly belonged (Walt was at the same mental hospital as Hurley was).
Michael died in season 4, he returned at the behest of Ben to help out his fellow castaways as an act of penance, and he died saving Jin. Jack died at the very end of the show, having saved the island from destruction, leaving Hurley Ben and Desmond, as well as Rose and Bernard, who also never left as they wanted to make their life there. Desmond would eventually go home since Hurley was in charge which gave him the powers to come and go as he pleased and also allow others to reach the island and leave if he so deemed it. Sun, Jin, and Sayid died in a submarine mishap caused by the Man in Black, who was eventually killed by Jack and Kate.
It was a tidal wave due to an extreme storm, Arzt was right. It also toppled the statue as well.
Deeply appreciate this info., Citizen of the Savage Nation.
I must admit that I was saddened to hear that Jin dies. What about he and Sun’s baby? What happens to Vincent?
Oh, and Locke’s dad was the con man Sawyer named himself after, in case you didn’t see that coming. And yes he got his revenge.
So it was a tsunami. What is the significance, if any, of the statue? Why did the statue have four toes?
“...to each his own.”
Then why are you here making much ado about nothing?
Vincent became Rose and Bernards dog, and lived with them happily ever after. Jin could have saved himself but chose to go down with his wife, which was a point of controversy, as to why he willingly left his daughter to be an orphan, and raised by Sun’s reprehensible parents.
I should have seen that coming, but I did not.
Is there some specific reason why all the characters lives intertwine before the crash, or is this just simply coincidence throughout the series?
Huh?
You’re the one making much ado. You visit the thread, and all you have is,
...to each his own.
Then why are you here making much ado about nothing?”?
OK. To each his own, I guess.
I’m assuming Rose was, in fact, miraculously healed(?) Or did someone on the island treat her?
Well, watching the series with my family while keeping mum will be challenging, but I won’t spoil it for the family. Thanks for your time.
Good night.
You have provided all of the answers I was searching for. I will no longer be lost while watching ‘LOST’. Salute to you.
Actually, as it was Jacob who brought them to the island, those incidences were deliberate, as destiny vs free choice was one of the background themes of the show. Jacob visited Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Locke, Sun, and Jin at various times in their lifer before the plane crash. It was supposedly this influence that was responsible for these coincidences. Jacob also visited Hurley and Sayid, but only after they got off the island, so they weren’t connected like the previous group. It’s not your normal show.
Rose was healed, which is why they decided to stay on the island. The extremely strong electromagnetic properties of the island cause the healing. Glad to help, as you can see I enjoy talking about Lost.
...to each his own.
Those were YOUR words, dummas, not mine.
You come onto FreeRepublic to gripe about a TV show you don’t like?
Find something productive to do, please, that doesn’t involve wasting bandwidth on your personal crap.
Your problem is that you didn’t get “Burn Notice” (or maybe “Rubicon”), rather than “Lost”. (Actually, I guess Rubicon is still in it’s first season.)
You gotta watch the show to find out.
Or "Breaking Bad" on A&E. Pulls no punches about Mexican Drug cartel violence.

For proof of how involved this whole tangle of characters really is, the Man in Black also appears in another movie, as "Inconceivable" as that might seem. [The Princess Bride, by William Goldman, directed by Rob Reiner who delivered a fairly good movie despite his political views.]
... or "Sons of Anarchy"
“And its amazing how all the young beautys look smashing and fresh as a daisy most of the time. They even manage to look chic when theyre dirty.”
Well, you’ve certainly made a good point there. Everyone has perfect gleaming bleached white teeth, too.
LOST is one of the siliest things I have ever seen on TV
As near as I can understand these people crash on a weird island with some supernatural properties and fall in love with it, and do stunningly stupid things to ‘protect’ it
And it gets worse from there
Kudos to Citizen of the Savage Nation for giving a honest step by step report on the series. Too bad you had to read so many stupid comments before he posted. There are couple of others but not enough to offset the idiots.
The writers of the show painted themselves into corners so many times that I stopped watching the show after three episodes. My girlfriend loved the show and we had marathons every weekend. We watched the final episode at a theater that was hosted by ABC. She owns an “Oceanic Airlines” t-shirt.
We created a drinking game where if a character asks another an “in your face, direct question” and the other character refuses to answer, you take a drink. We had to switch to mild wine coolers. LOL. I'm logging off.
Look right here on FreeRepublic. There used to be live threads which linked to detailed episode analyses. Just use search, if you are truly interested.
That said, yes, ‘Lost’ is incredibly theologically-impaired. There are indeed issues with causality and ordered-universe concepts.
That would be what the writers were playing with. I watched rather closely for five years, then realized that it had been an invigorating experiment with metanarrative which, because it was not grounded in an internally-consistent worldview, could never be satisfactorily resolved. Which was sad, because there were so many elements worth building up. They wanted to be transgressive rather than inspirational. So it goes.
It remains seminal in TV programming and narrative structure and would be a tremendous source for such things for a series that was actually grounded in an alternate reality having internal consistency.
...which were all presented as tremendously wrongful things to do. Given that, your problem therefore resolves to ‘don’t ever include suicide as a plot element’?
Somebody else already answered, but you are not correct. There is an element where the ‘characters...all died in the plane crash’ is included, but that is apparently not what happened. To say more is to provide a spoiler.
The origin of the Others (there is not just one group of them) is also a spoiler, which would ruin an entire season if said out. As I said elsewhere, go find the ‘Lost’ analysis threads if you actually want to know and are willing to read extremely long, intensely detailed studies, which trace the episodes shot-by-shot in order. I only read a few of them (having already seen the episodes) but I did find them interesting.
EVeryone dies eventually, but Vincent lies down at Jack’s side as he dies in the main timeline at the very end of the series.
It wasn’t cancelled, it ended—on THEIR terms.
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