The Last Lost Word (for now)

It's been about two months since the Lost finale aired, two long months in between blogging. I'm not sure what you call that except maybe, bad blogging. Even though Lost has been over for awhile, I can't let it end without commenting one last time. It was such a big part of my tv life and I'm sad it's gone. Its noticeable absence from San Diego Comic Con was one of the first signs that it really is over.

So, what about that finale? As an episode of television it was great; as a series finale, one that resonates, redeems characters, and retains some mystery it was brilliant; as the final word, that last chance for fans to understand the mythology that is Lost, well, on that point, I gotta say, it sucked.

That is in fact my main issue with the finale, and to a greater extent the last season: it just didn't connect the dots very well. Darlton spent five years weaving mystery with character, making us care both about the who and the why of the show. This was done at a consistently good level, and sometimes a great one. "The Constant", many fans favourite episode (including me) is a fabulous example of both. So why then does the last season feel so disconnected from the other five? Why did we meet so many new characters (Drogen, Zoe, Lennon) to have them not really mean anything, whilst barely revisiting Eloise Hawking and Penny? I refrained from complaining about too much during the season, because I had faith the writers would tie it together. But I don't really think they did.

Darlton have said, rightly so, that Lost was their story and they must write it true to their vision. But, I think it's slightly disingenuous to spend five years building a mythology and having incredible attention to detail, to then say it's just about the characters. Still it's hard to not think they realise there were mis-steps when we learn that more 'answers' (such as on Walt, who save for one of Locke's flashes, was not mentioned in the finale) are coming on the DVD. And, I simply wish that those answers would have come through the show.

Anyway, I put that part first because while I needed to say it, I don't want that to be my last word. Because when I let go of that, what I see is a genuinely good episode that made me cry and made me proud to have been a fan since day 1. The emotional payoff for spending six seasons with these characters was amazing. The last 15 minutes to me were some of the best Lost has to offer. From Locke and Ben's final exchange, to Jack being the last holdout, they stayed true to the characters, whilst also showing their growth over the five season. Jack finding his Dad, and seeing all (well most all) our original crew back was great nostalgia. In fact, the best trick of Season Six was making me care about Jack, and by the time his eyes closed (in a perfect framing device), with Vincent at his side once again, I was genuinely moved.

The legacy of Lost will live on, both through websites like Lostpedia, but also as a standard for main stream sci-fi that can appeal to the masses (or at least more than most sci-fi shows). There won't ever be another show like Lost, but hopefully more shows will aspire to be like Lost--and that can only be a good thing for tv fans.

In the end...

Well tonight (or tomorrow morning for those of us across the pond) is it: the end of Lost. The end of polar bears and time travel (on the same island), and an end to a particular-type of WTF moments. For me personally, so much has changed in the 5.5 years since lost debuted in 2004, it is amazing to think that I went from De Soto, MO to Leavenworth, KS, to Kingston, Jamaica, and London, England. From Cingular, to Saint Mary, to Big Brothers Big Sisters, to UTech & Roehampton, Starbucks, and the National Union of Students. Wow. Lost has truly been my 'constant' for a whole lot of change and jumping around the world (and even and island or two). It's the one show that I never miss, that I have to see as soon as I can. I'm probably more than just a little unreasonably sad about it ending, but when a show has been with you for all that change, when it's helped me make new friends, and when I've spent some great evenings watching it with old ones, it's sad to see it go.

I have high hopes for the finale, that in the end it will be fantastic and fun and yes, I really hope we'll get some answers (they really need to mention Walt). I know they can't possibly answer everything I want, but if it's done well, that's okay. So, instead of focussing on what they better show me, I just want to briefly reflect on what they already have, in my favorite epsiodes.

1) Walkabout--I've mentioned in on the blog before, but the episode where we learn that John Locke was a wheelchair user before they crashed on the island, was the first big moment of Lost for me. It also showed us a powerful and confident Locke on the island, my first favorite character. It was this episode that the flashback device was really used well, and brought suspense.

2) Flashes Before Your Eyes--My current favourite character is Desmond, something that started in this episode. He gets drunk with Charlie and Hurley and tells them what happened when he turned the key and the hatch imploded. It was our first taste of time travel, we met Eloise Hawking for the first time, and we get a hint of the growing importance of Desmond.

3) Greatest Hits--I loved the Desmond and Charlie interactions, and how hard Desmond fought to save Charlie's life. When Charlie finally comes to the realisation that his time is over, he is given once last episode. This one uses the flashback device to show what Charlie considers his 'Greatest Hits.' They are: learning to swim, saving a woman's life (who happened to be Sayid's Nadia), hearing "She's all everybody' for the first time on the radio, getting, his brother giving him a family ring, and meeting Claire. It was a sweet and poignant good-bye, and although Charlie didn't die until the season finale a few episodes later (remember, Not Penny's Boat), it was the perfect ending to a loved character.

4) The Constant--This is my all time favourite episode, and if you have noticed a theme, you will now: this is the one where Desmond keeps switching consciousnesses between the present and the past. If he doesn't find someone to be his 'constant,' someone to anchor him to a reality, he will die. Well, he realises that Penny must be his constant, and the ending where he calls her (like he told her he would) is one of the sweetest endings endings to an episode ever.

So that's it. All that's left is to watch and enjoy and say good bye!

Treme: A closer look at Post-Katrina New Orleans

Treme, the new HBO series, takes a look at New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina. The name of the series comes from the neighborhood of the same name which has been home to many musicians that helped make New Orleans so famous. Treme comes from David Simon and Eric Overmyer, who both worked on Homicide: Life on the Streets (one of my favorite shows ever) and The Wire. Both of those shows were critically acclaimed in their time and known for their diverse casts and strong writing. In the first five episodes, I'd say Treme fits right in.

Treme Trailer:

Treme is a slowly unfolding story giving the viewers increasingly deeper glimpses into a large number of characters lives, from (in no particular order) a down-on-his-luck trombone player and his ex-wife and bar owner, a Mardi Gras Indian leader and his son, a lawyer and her Tulane professor/writer husband, a chef, a musical transplant couple, to a hyperactive DJ/musician. It is a large cast, with some big names and Homicide/Wire alums (John Goodman, Khandi Alexander, Steve Zahn, Melissa Leo, Wendall Pierce, and Clarke Peters to name a few). For the most part Treme has done a great job of building each characters story and making you care about them.

A show set in New Orleans, especially after Katrina, will necessarily have to deal with race and class issues. Since the whole show is slowly paced, this has come in fits and starts. We certainly see different classes and different races portrayed in the show--frankly the show would feel false if this weren't the case. There have been hints of commentary about it, mainly through John Goodman's character (the Tulane professor) who posts rants on YouTube about the many failings of the Federal, State, and Local Governments before, during and after Katrina. The show doesn't shy away from showing and commenting on the many racist and classist decisions that were made, from not re-opening some projects that were never flooded, to the pure chaos of the prison system that housed (and still houses) a predominately black male population. As of now, there has been very little tension between the classes and colors in Treme, but I hope that as the show grows, that is shown. Not because I wish tension to be dramatised, but because that tension does exist, but is not generally shown on mainstream television. If the most recent episode is an indicator, I'm confident this will be explored.

Music is used throughout the series, and gives a great excuse to hire local musicians, such as Kermit Ruffins. Music is used to underscore one of the biggest themes in Treme, the idea of 'real' New Orleans. Steve Zahn's character, Davis, is the biggest proponent of this 'real' New Orleans. His hyperactive and often times obnoxious character hits you over the head with it, constantly talking about 'authentic' New Orleans. This is the one area where I think Treme could improve. The idea of what it means to be 'real' New Orleanian is an interesting one to explore--is it the Mardi Gras chief, the Tulane professor, the black trombone player, the white DJ, the bar owner, the chef, the lawyer, or the music playing couple? Is it all of them, or do anyone them actually capture 'real' New Orleans. I suspect the answer is yes and no. A scene early on sees the male member of the music couple berating some church volunteers for going to the French Quarter and coming into his city. In later episodes, we learn he himself is not from New Orleans, originally. This nuanced idea of authenticity is interesting, but Davis yelling at everyone he thinks doesn't cuts it, isn't. I'm hopeful that Davis can show some growth, and I'm optimistic after watching the fifth episode.

Treme is beautifully shot and anytime a television show leaves New York or L.A. its going to get a look-see from me. The fact that is has a strong cast with actual black actors in lead roles with real stories and true character development, just like its white characters, keeps me around. Case in point: Treme takes what could be a sterotypical black character, played by Wendell Pierce, the guy who has three baby mamas, and gives him depth. He not a caricature, but a character. It reminds me of Homicide in that it revels in concentrating on a small detail, or lingers on a scene longer than one would expect a show to do. Treme has already been picked up for a second season, which I think is well-deserved. I know I'll be sticking around, and I hope you decide to give the show, and New Orleans, a chance.

I'm still "Lost" and loving it

After the most recent Lost outing, the final season of the show about an island, is down to seven episodes. We are at the beginning of the very end my friends, and in about 6 weeks we'll have to say good-bye to one of the most interesting, spooky, suspenseful, and confusing shows ever.

As we push forward to the end, let's take a step back to see where we are. Instead of flashbacks or flashforwards, we are in some sort of 'sideways world' (as coined by Doc Jensen), a sort of altera-universe where Flight 815 didn't crash, but made it all the way to L.A. Our characters are still intrinsically linked in our sideways world--while each episode focuses on one character, there are several interactions between each other. I guess these people just belong together.

Back on the island, the final showdown is brewing between Jacob and the Man in Black, aka Smokey, aka Fake-Locke or FLocke. About half our characters of Team Jacob right now (Jack, Sun, Hurley, Lapidus, Miles, Ben) aided by Ilana and Richard Alpert, the other half Team FLocke (Sayid, Kate, Sawyer, Claire, Sayid, Jin) along with Cindy the flight attendant and those kids that were kidnapped from the Tailies way back when.

So far, in the altera-timeline have learned Richard's backstory (his true love died while he was accidentally killing a mean doctor in the 1800s, was a slave on the Black Rock that crashed on the island, freed by Smokey, and chose immortality since his first two options of being with his wife and saving his soul from hell were off the table); learned that Jack has a son in sideways world (but, conspicuously did NOT see the mother of said child); Kate helped Claire and Aaron when Claire went into early labour; Locke was with Helen, and accepted that some things he just can't do; Ben was a teacher who helped Alex; Sayid was NOT with Nadia ;Sawyer is a cop and Miles his is partner; Jin and Sun weren't married, but together; and Keamy works for Sun's Dad who was trying to kill both Jin and Sayid's brother. We've also seen Charlie, his brother, Daniel Farraday, Charlotte, Boone, Mikael so far.

On the island, Jin and Sun STILL aren't together, Claire wants to kill Kate (encouraged by FLocke), some of characters are 'candidates' to take over the protection of the island, Hurley still sees dead people, FLocke killed a bunch of people in the Temple, there have been many meta-conversations between characters about being in hell and some skeletons in a cave, and Charles Widmore is on Hydra Island (polar bear cage sex could be just around the corner) and Desmond finally made his reappearance.

Confused? Me too. I've just written four paragraphs of what is surely to be gibberish to anyone not watching Lost, and totally incomplete for those that do watch it. It is not often that this far into a show, there is still so much mystery and confusion. After all the point of the final season is to explain not confuse. This my friends, is what makes Lost the ultimate test of faith in television. Not to be too dramatic, but who amongst us isn't just a little afraid that there are too many questions and too little time? Those of us that were burned with Alias's Rimbaldi reveal (I'm still pissed that it was all about eternal life) know all too well how a bad ending can make you wince.

Yet, to me, the reason Lost is still working, the reason I'm not worrying, is more than simple trust in Darlton (which I do) is the characters. I relish the relationships of certain characters that occur in both worlds. Miles and Sawyer, Claire and Kate, Desmond and Charlie. I hope that Hurley gets his peace, that Jin/Sun, and Desmond/Penny, and Sawyer/Juliet (sorry it's all boy/girl couples--we need to take that up with Darlton) get their chance at happily ever after, that somehow Sayid gets redemption and Locke learns his worth. I don't really care about Jack and Kate, unless Kate and Claire end up both raising Aaron. I know all of this might not happen, but I hope some of it happens. That's why I watch, and I suspect why you do too.

I'm sure there will be at least one more post about Lost as it winds up, so until then Happy Watching.

Birth

I had a baby less than 8 weeks ago and I am offically too busy to keep up with this blog in addition to my other blog. I will try to squeeze in a thought here and there and I am keeping up with my tv viewing, but between feedings, diapers, naps and other baby "things", I am exhausted and BUSY.

Big Boy

Yesterday Connor turned 7 weeks old and has started to sleep for longer periods at night between feedings (4 to 4.5 hours!) and thus we are going to start the transition from the pack-n-play in our room to his big boy crib. Time is continuing to fly by and he is becoming such a little man. This morning we ran errands to Target and the grocery store and he was as content as can be in his car seat, looking around. His personality is blossoming everyday and he is starting to smile in reaction to my voice, not just from gas. :)

Everyday I continue to be in heaven, staying home with him and taking care of his daily needs. I am already dreading going back to work as I will miss the little daily moments that we currently share. We really don't have a set routine yet, but we are managing to make it day by day. He is still eating like a champ and progressing from one boob at each feeding to both. This tells me that his quantity is increasing and my body is changing once more to keep up with this added production. Luckily, I am still able to feed him and pump multiple times a day to have a nightly bottle ready for Tiff's feeding, as well as a daily freezer bag for future (daycare) use. I am still grateful for my amazing production and Connor seems to be thriving on the milk that I produce. Next Friday the 12th we have his next appointment and I can't wait to see his growth! I think he is at least 12 pounds, if not more.

Our little man is a joy to be around and he is growing up so quickly. I have always heard the cliche from mother's saying, "oh, they grow up so fast".... OR, "they don't stay babies for very long" and it does in fact seem to be true. He is growing so quickly that we have a rubber.maid already full of clothes he has outgrown. Where does time go?

Lost: The Final Season

Lost kicks off its sixth and final season tonight in the United States, and Friday in the United Kingdom, when I will be watching. And yes, it is going to be nearly impossible for me to wait that long, and I will have to stay far away from the internets in order to avoid being spoiled. Because, man, I don't want to be within 100 feet of a spoiler. I ready to enjoy watching the dominoes fall, and the connections made as I watch the answers to about a billion mysteries come. Or not come, as I suspect.

Lost has been a show that I've been a fan of since Day 1. Actually, I was a fan before it ever premiered. They had me at 'from the maker of Alias,' and they kept me through mystery and intrigue. Even in its weaker seasons, the mystery kept me coming for more. I do love the characters (well some of them) and I certainly care what happens to them, but there were times when we had to sit through episodes on characters I didn't really care about. (Hello, Shannon). And then of course, there were those characters I liked, who's departure from the show (for whatever on- or off-set reasons) disappointed and frustrated me. (I'm looking at you Mr Eko). But there was always the mystery and always the sci-fi, and generally good writing, so there you go. A hat tip to Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse for that. [Also, I'm such a big dork I knew those names without having to look them up. At all.]

Before we enjoy the last season, I thought I'd call attention to ten of of my favorite moments. Interestingly, Lost is not a show I've watched over and over like some others, so these moments are the ones that truly stand out. I remember the main points, but some of the finer ones may have been lost. (he he) (As an aside, I have some theories on why I haven't watched them multiple times, the main one being that, for me, it's the reveal that makes Lost, so once you've seen the reveal it's not as much fun. ) Anyway, without further fanfare here are my 10 favorite moments, in no particular order:

1) 'The Pilot': This episode did what all pilots should--introduced enough characters, gave us some intrigue, gave us some WTF moments (a monster? a polar bear) all with pretty good dialogue and writing.

2) The end of the Pilot part 2: The first truly bone chilling moment for me was when we hear the French distress signal playing over and over, and learn it's been that way for 16 years. We've come a long way from the moment, but it showed us definitely that this island and this show, was different.

3) 'Walkabout': The first John Locke episode (and John Locke is my favorite character, and yes he best get his redemption) and arguably one of the best episodes ever. Learning that Locke had been in a wheelchair until arriving on the island was a spectacular twist, and showed us Locke was special. It also gives some reason for his 'Man of Faith' attitude. And do we know how he caught that boar yet?

4) The character growth of Jin: I'm not sure if there were original plans for Sun and Michael to get together, but once the writers gave Jin more dimensions than just 'mean guy who treats his wife bad' it as easy to see why Sun stuck around. Showing the same story from each of their perspective in Season 1 helped show us why Jin was the way he was. And when he apologised to Sun for not being a good husband in Season 4, you really did believe he meant it. His was a journey worth watching.

5) Desmond: If Locke is my favorite character, Desmond is 1.5 on my list (brotha). We first see the Scottish lad in a Jack flashback in Season 2 when we have no idea how integral he will become. He says he'll see Jack in another life, and boy was he right. Two of my favorite episodes, 'Flashes Before Your Eyes' and 'The Constant', are Desmond episodes. They also happen to be bookends on the Penny/Desmond arc, taking us through their journey of love, separation, and reconciliation.

6)' The Other 48 Days': Or, where we meet the Tailies. We finally see what happened to the tail section of the plane, learn who was on the other end of Boone's radio, and figure out Rose's husband is a white guy. Of course we also meet Ana-Lucia and Mr Eko, lost some kids, and Cindy, the flight attendant. And certainly don't forget, this is where Shannon gets shot. Which made me mad only in that it made all the time spent with Boone and Shannon fairly pointless.

7) 'Greatest Hits': I had a love/hate relationship with Charlie. I loved him, then hated him in that period where all he did was whine, but then kind of loved him again in the end. The final Charlie-centred episode, where he recalls his five greatest moments, was a beautiful swan song. And even though he didn't actually die until the next episode, we all knew it was coming. Seeing his moments and his good-bye to Claire, was the perfect way for him to go out on top.

8) Locke sees Jacob: Another of the truly terrifying moments was in that cabin when Locke sees Jacob for the first time. Or was it Jacob? Well, I guess we don't know about that, but it added a new level to the mythology, and I loved it.

9) Time Travelling: I love sci-fi. Duh. And there's nothing more sci-fi than time travelling. So last season was particularly fun for me when they were bouncing around time. I don't always understand it (so, Locke gave Richard the watch, which Richard gave to young Locke, who then gave it back, or something like that, and anyway, where did the damn watch come from), but I always like it.

10) They mysteries come and gone: Who are the Others (and the other Others)? What's in the hatch? Who stole Walt? Who was on the Boone's radio? Why is there a polar bear on the island? Why do the Others steal children? Who are Paulo and Nikki? Those are just a few that have had their day in the sun. It's seems so funny now that we speculated for an entire summer about what was in the hatch, but at the time who knew it was Desmond? As we gear up for the last season of debate and mysteries it's fun to go back and think about all we already do know.

There are many more moments that could make that list (a big Honorable Mention to the end of Season 3 when we figure out Jack is in the future-that was a near perfect season finale), but I have to stop somewhere.

I'll be rep-visiting Lost often throughout this season, so for now, enjoy the 'LA X, Parts 1 & 2'!