It is amazing to think that the series finale of LOST will take place tomorrow. It doesn't seem possible that it can be over. At the same time, I am almost happy to see it go. There has been a lot of talk about quitting while you are on top. At the start of Season 5 I would have agreed that was exactly what would happen. They would blow us away with a solid final 2 seasons. However, I cannot feel that way anymore. The second half of last season and this entire season has been a major disappointment. The show had so much going for it. It is hard to imagine that it fizzled out so much for me at the end.
I don't have a problem with the story that is being told. There is no way I could have planned out and written a better ending for the plot. My problem is with the execution. Aside from the great characters and writing, LOST was so good at telling the story. The way the events have played out over the past 20 episodes has been a mess. Back in the day I loved analyzing everything that was presented to us, and thinking about what it could all mean. I listened to podcasts that talked about the show and how everything connected. This past season I have only had brief moments of interest like that. This season I have stopped listening to the podcasts. I have stopped even getting excited for the new episodes. I watch because I want to know what is going to happen, but I no longer really care about it. We are getting answers to the questions we so badly wanted to get, but they are being presented in a way that is completely anti-climactic.
I want nothing more than to be totally blown away by tomorrow's finale. I am not expecting it though. There is nothing they can do that would really make up for how they have blundered through the story this season. Even if there is an awesome ending, I cannot forgive the writers/directors for the path they have taken to get there. The series had such strong roots. Everybody who watched had attachments to the characters in one way or another. This season effectively disconnected me from everything I had seen over the past 5 years, and wasted all that time I had spent getting to know these people.
When LOST first came on TV I refused to watch it. After season 4 was over I was urged to watch the first few episodes and give it a shot. Over the next 8 to 10 weeks me and my wife had watched every episode. I was blown away by it. I went from scoffing at the show to becoming one of its biggest fans. Now I feel somewhat betrayed. The magic that hooked me on this show has disappeared. I almost feel ashamed for defending the show as much as I did. Tomorrow should feel like an amazing event in television history. It should feel bitter sweet. However, right now it just feels bitter. I thought I would feel like I am saying goodbye to a friend who is moving away. Instead I feel like I am euthanizing a once playful dog that now needs to be put out of its misery.
