For centuries, one question plagued Man more than any other; that question was: “What is the meaning of life?” Now, here in the 21st century – an age of progression and innovative entertainment – the question has changed; the question is now: “What is the meaning of Lost?”
JJ Abrams’ head-scratcher of a television show has had the globe baffled since 2004, when, in Episode One, Oceanic Flight 815 seemingly crashed on a tropical island, marooning several, previously disconnected and hopelessly flawed characters who are then forced to work together to survive. Lost is an entity that has never fully explained itself; every episode, every twist and every turn leaves the viewer with a million unanswered questions, and yet, it has kept followers of the show gripped, and determined not to lose faith in case they miss something important.
It was this determination which drew my father, brothers and I out of bed at five a.m. this morning. In a “simulcast” broadcasting the final ever episode of Lost at exactly the same time as in the U.S, Sky One delivered the end of the most epic story in television history. For once, we, the UK audience, were not beaten to the punch by our American counterparts – we were all clued in at the same time. Ask yourselves: what other show, or any form of entertainment for that matter, has deemed itself worthy of such prestige treatment?
The final episode takes place at the end of probably the most boggling season, in which the explosion at the end of Season Five created an alternative reality – one where Oceanic Flight 815 didn’t crash. Gone are the flashbacks and flash-forwards – replaced with flashes to a parallel universe. Desmond is able to move between these two dimensions, fully recalling his time on the island in a reality in which he should, technically, never have been there. Little by little, he finds all the key protagonists in this new version of the world, and helps them to remember the island – and, ultimately, each other.
It is this that appears to be key in the scheme of things; Lost seems to carry the message that only when we experience the true nature of love can we better understand and find meaning in our lives and our world. Characters could only recall their castaway paradise when, in the new reality, they came into physical contact with those whom they had fallen in love on the island. So love then, is a running theme throughout the piece. Religion appears to be another. There is so much religious symbolism in the final episode; the drinking of water from the island to become like Jacob (we might think about the Cup of Christ and the connotation of baptism); the statue of Jesus outside the chapel where our characters finally congregate; the stained glass window in the room where Christian Shepherd’s (take note of that biblical name) body is being kept, which features the symbols of all the religions – Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and so on. It’s all there. But, characteristically for this show, it gives you as much as you’re willing to look for.
The final scenes are the ones which will have people debating for years to come. Jack speaks with his late father, and realises he too is dead, thus enabling him to speak with his Dad. All the other islanders wait in the church beyond. Jack asks Christian, “Are they all dead too?” Christian replies, “We all gotta die sometime” which doesn’t fully answer the question. Jack joins his friends in the church, Christian opens a door and a brilliant, white light pours in. Back in the island reality, Jack lays down to die with Vincent the Labrador at his side, in the exact place and under the exact circumstances in which he awoke in the very first episode. His eye closes, and the screen goes black. That is the end.
Once again, Michael Giacchino’s brilliantly executed score helps transport us to the emotions we are supposed to be feeling in any given moment. Reoccurring themes hit just the right nostalgic notes for loyal fans to recognise the music and remember episodes past. The moments when all former lovers are reunited are particularly moving – especially between Charley, Claire and Baby Aaron. There is a sense of fate surrounding the story; a little voice whispering that we are destined to meet the people in our lives no matter what reality we find ourselves in. There is comfort to be found in that.
My interpretation is that when the plane crashed, everyone died – there were no survivors. The island is that place where souls go to redeem themselves in order to be able to pass into heaven. All the characters had flaws and unfinished business at the time of the crash, and, by the end, had righted themselves somehow. Having all achieved some redemption and peace, and they were ready to “move on” as the aptly-named Christian put it. All the mysteries of the island can then be explained as a manifestation of the confusion and paranoia that comes with a soul being separated from its body, and in trying to solve the little mysteries – the Others, the Polar Bear, the Monster, etc – the soul is trying to make sense of the fact that death has occurred so abruptly that those who perished simply aren’t aware.
A friend of mine believes that our protagonists were merely gathered at the church to attend Christian’s funeral; with the death of the island reality, Jack and Kate et al will be allowed to continue in the alternative reality; that no one is dead and that they will all exchange numbers and stay in touch with one another. I would like to believe that. Others will say it was all a dream. That is the beauty of Lost – it is whatever you make it – not unlike life itself, which, one might argue, could be the coded message Lost endeavoured to deliver over six fascinating years.
See it for yourself and decide how you want it to end. There aren’t many television shows that allow their audience that luxury. But nothing is more powerful than the imagination – so allow yours to finish the story.
Emma Champion
Image sourced at:
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