Another episode of LOST has come and gone. I don't know what it is, but this season just isn't doing it for me. I don't feel nearly as excited about it as I should. This season seems really awkward, and the flash sideways thing still isn't working for me. Just a few weeks ago I loved the episode with the strange little kid and the cave. Those memories seem like they were so long ago. They haven't been able to recapture that excitement in me. I think a lot of LOST fans really enjoyed "Sundown", but I didn't care for it that much.
I don't know what I was expecting out of the final season, but I don't feel like my hopes were too high. I wanted them to answer questions, and hopefully bring a satisfying conclusion to the story arcs of our favorite characters. They are definitely answering questions, but not much has been satisfying about it. There are moments in every episode this season that are really good. I will undoubtedly continue watching. There is just something that feels very empty about it all. For me, they haven't been able to create the high stakes like they did in past seasons. I am starting to not even care, which would be the most disappointing end.
Despite my ho-hum reaction, here are some thoughts...
First off, where the heck is Sawyer? For that matter, what did they do with Jin when Flocke and Claire took their trip to the temple. These characters are just all over the place. Kate is leaving the temple, Kate is back at the temple, Kate leaves again, then she is back. Kate has always been a plot device, but they are going crazy with her now. Last season Kate had to stop Jack's plan, then she had to help Jack succeed with his plan.... an so it goes. This episode did give us some information about how others have come to be on the island. Seems like Dogan made a deal with Jacob so that his son could live. This is what I think might explain the flash-sideways and everything that is going on. I think Flocke is going to give the characters an opportunity to make a deal to get off the island. They can choose to live the lives they would have had if Jacob would have never interfered (we saw a happy Dogan watching his son play piano last week). This is what we are seeing in the flash sideways. Their lives on the island will end as they know it, and they will live out their days in this other life. Don't really have anymore details, it was just a thought.
At least LOST is still able to get me thinking about what is going on even if I think this final season hasn't been executed that well. There are a lot of other shows that don't provide any thought whatsoever. I am beginning to think I have changed. None of the television shows that I used to watch seem interesting to me. Back in the day I would be rubbing one out to "The Bachelor" right along with all the mindless women of America. This year I found it sickening to watch. I have always known that "The Bachelor" was stupid, but I used to find it entertaining. This season just pissed me off. What I did watch felt so contrived and idiotic that I couldn't believe anybody could fall for it. I am done with that show for good, and all reality shows with the same general format.
"American Idol" is borderline unbearable to watch this season also. It is frustrating and I have no clue why I am still tuning in. Once America succeeds in removing all of the minority contestants, I might become more interested. I wasn't a Paula fan, but I think the show worked better with her on it. I will probably still pay attention to what is going on, but I do not plan on watching every performance. This might be the last season that I dedicate any of my time to it.
"The Office" has really gone down hill too. This season has been weak, but probably no worse than last year. I don't know how much longer they can keep that train chugging along, but I feel like things are starting to come off the tracks. It used to be smart and funny. Now everybody seems cliche, and they are content with capitalizing on the same jokes. "Modern Family" has replaced "The Office" as my favorite sit-com. "The Office" has a lot of die-hard fans that will defend it. They are blind to the poor writing that has started to plague the show. The characters have become exaggerated, un-relatable versions of themselves.
Television has lowered itself for the idiots of America. They get paid by appealing to the masses, so I can't complain.
-deric
