Comments on: LOST Finale Thoughts

By: Renee Teate

Renee Teate — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:11:25 +0000

Since I didn’t ever watch the show a single time, but am amazed at the number of blog post (from Christians I admire) I was beginning to think I’d missed something of value. Your perspective seems grounded in reality. Thank you!

By: Timmy Brister

Timmy Brister — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:10:14 +0000

Regarding the relationship of Christianity and LOST, I think you both make good points. If we try to spiritualize every aspect of LOST, we are guilty of trying to make LOST fit within the grid of Christian worldview. It simply doesn’t work. There are questions and huge life issues that LOST raises that are poorly answered by their script writers that could be better answered by Scripture, but Scripture was not the script writers’ source. And for Christians to pretend that is was is foolish.

Trevin Wax brings out some good thoughts on these points. Check out his post:

http://trevinwax.com/2010/05/24/lessons-from-lost/

By: Dennis Alcover

Dennis Alcover — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:00:21 +0000

Very good analysis. Probably one of the more emotionally satisfying finales I have seen.

I was also struck by the Christian themes (dare I say Catholic in some ways), for a non-Christian show. Purgatory, Jack’s father (Christian Shepherd, could we have had any better foreshadowing?) telling him essentially that “Now” had no meaning there (Eternity is outside of Time, and encompasses all time), and Ben deciding to stay behind for a while longer (ultimately it is our choice how long we spend in Purgatory before we are clean enough for Heaven).

Not great theology, but nice to see a nod to these things. This was, after all, entertainment TV, not Bible Study…

By: Charlie Wallace

Charlie Wallace — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:36:27 +0000

Timmy,

For a self-described ‘casual’ fan I think your analysis is spot on. I think the postmodern/viewer-response point is well taken. By leaving many loose ends untied, the creators have made sure that chatter about the show will not just end. The message boards will still be going strong for some time with various posters posting their theories about what happened. Even Jimmy Kimmel has his own theory as to what exactly happened and what the entire show was about. Also, I believe the creators want the audience to try to figure it out themselves, which is why DVD sales will continue as old and new viewers alike will start watching them with the end in mind now.

For all of the LOST haters, who don’t understand, etc. and are upset, my guess is they have not been watching the show since season 1. Fans that have been with the show since the beginning have long eschewed any false hope that the creators will answer every question. Much like the Bible, it’s purpose is not to answer every question. It’s purpose is to tell a story. And that is what LOST is about.