When the final Harry Potter book came out, I was nervous, anxious and excited. I ordered my book from Amazon.com and patiently waited on the front steps for its arrival. I cleared my calendar for the weekend to read and shut off all communication with the world (cell phone, internet, TV) for fear that someone would spoil the ending. All my Potter friends were instructed simply to text “finished” before any discussion would commence. Would Harry live? Would Snape pay for Dumbledore’s death? Was Snape a bad man? Would we find out more of the back story of Dumbledore, of Harry’s parents, and of course, Voldemort? I marathoned the book in less than 36 hours with limited sleep. There were times in the book I was discouraged, frustrated and quite frankly distracted by what I felt were fillers in the story. Really, enough, come on were my thoughts during what felt like wasted pages when Harry and Hermione moved their tent from location to location to location to location. Let’s get to the meat of it already. I need answers!
When I finished I was satisfied that it was over but, I can’t say I was wholly fulfilled. Sure, I knew the answers and the outcomes and in fact got a glimpse into Harry and company future lives. But, I was sort of empty and sad to know it was over. It wasn’t until I re-read the whole series a year later without all the pressure of rushing and knowing the end, that I really enjoyed the entire story I had loved so much, and devoted so much of my time, myself, and my discussion for so many years. And, finally I was satisfied.
So here we are into the sixth episode of LOST with only ten episodes to go. A show I have loved, devoted so much of my time to and so much of my daily discussions to. After each episode, I text my friends, chat online and then the following day continue the discussions some more and read several blogs. One of my favorites is the dueling analysis by Jen & Liz of the Washington Post. I anxiously wait for their post the next day at 11 a.m., (taking my lunch early) and then logon again when I get home to read the comments from their 2 p.m. chat.
Much to my chagrin their analysis of this week’s episode about Sayid, an episode I really enjoyed, was extremely negative and they equated it to a dud like the Nikki and Paulo episode. Like many of their other faithful followers and readers, their 2 p.m. chat called them on the carpet for their growing ennui about the show. Yes, we are all clamoring for answers. Yes, they are not giving them to us fast enough. Yes we don’t need any other new characters. Yes, I, too am growing anxious about how the heck they are going to wrap this up! And, yes, I’m nervous that the ending will leave me wholly unsatisfied. Remember the cut to black ending of the Sopranos… I totally stopped believing in good writing at that very moment.
But, I wonder if all of us LOSTIES aren’t suffering from a little bit of Harry Potter syndrome? Will we really be satisfied with anything this season? Perhaps we will need sometime after it’s all over to take it all in, without any expectations, anxiety, or excitement to truly appreciate and see the whole picture. I hope so. We shall see.
Great commentary Sharon.
ReplyDeleteI have not read the Harry Potter series but I completely understand what you mean. I've been planning on buying the entire Lost series after the show is over to re-watch it without the pressure of trying to "figure things out" or understand all the links. I want to see how my perspective changes knowing the outcome and picking up on foreshadowing or clues. I love the show and think its the most creative and innovative thing I've ever seen on tv.
I've got a serious beef with people complaining now. How can they complain without knowing the outcome? Lost has ALWAYS been about the drawn out payoff, almost never instant gratification. Not only have they provided revelations (I won't call them answers)several episodes apart, they provide them SEASONS apart. For example, remember Claire's dream in the episode where Locke is building her a bassinet? She sees Locke as "evil" with one black eye and one white eye. That was Season 1 or 2 I believe... so for those that think the writers are making it up as they go along, I give you the Claire/Bad Locke relationship foreshadowed, what, 5 seasons ago?
As for my thoughts on how they're going to give us all the answers with just 10 episodes left? Well, my humble theory is that they ALREADY ARE giving us answers.
WARNING - SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS PAST WEEK'S SAYID EPISODE...
I believe the "flash sideways" scenes are actually what becomes of the Losties depending on what "deal" or side they choose... or what the ultimate outcome is. Sayid wants to be with Nadia... so he is in the flash sideways, even if it means he'll never escape his torturous past.
(By the way... I liked this episode... and I also didn't have a huge problem with the Nikki and Paulo story... I'm actually one of the few that was sad they died so quickly).
They may never give us ALL the answers, but I think they've been giving us answers all along... we just don't know it yet.
Then again... I could be totally wrong and it could be aliens. Then I'll be right there with those that are ready to storm the ABC offices... but I'm going to continue to believe in the writers... the same writers that have gotten me so deeply hooked for 6 years that I spend hours thinking,reading, and writing on blogs.
Kevin...I'm with you. I recently said to someone..watching LOST is like putting together a zigsaw puzzle without having the picture on the front of the box. I think we have (or will have by the end of the year) all the pieces. I'm not sure that we'll ever get the picture though...I think that will be up to us to discover and rework for years to come. BTW...walmart.com has all the seasons pretty cheep right now including a pre-order of this season.
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