The LOST finale episode redux

I recently re watched the finale episode of the T.V. series LOST.  It's been two years now since the show wrapped and I remember there was a real polarization between those that thought it it was a grand, and daring ending and those that felt "cheated" at having invested 6 seasons into a show that really did require a lot of emotional investment and then fail to answer what they considered key questions.

I am part of the first group obviously.  I loved the show then and now realize that it actually gets better with time.  Ok, spoiler alert, the rest of this post deals with the episode itself so if you don't want to know what happens...stop reading now.

The last episode has two different storylines being played out simultaneously.  The first storyline is dealing with the castaways final battle on the Island that has been their home for 6 seasons against the "Man in Black".  The second storyline is in modern L.A. and has the castaways in everyday lives connecting to each other and "remembering" their time on the Island.  The castaways are drawn to a church where the lead character Jack, meets his deceased father, Christian.  Its at the church that Jack "remembers" his time on the Island  and in an emotional scene discovers that he, like all of his friends, are dead.  Some, he learns, before him some long after him.

Jack and his father then move into the main church sanctuary and into a celebration of closest and dearest friends greeting and hugging one another.  It is at this point that the the story resonates with my heart as a Christian.  I am one of these people that long "to go home".  I want to be where God is and in this scene I felt just a glimpse of eternity. I love the joy of everyone's faces in the church scene.  After so much pain and misery they experienced in their lives and on "the Island", all of that is behind them now.  There is no more weeping.  As Jesus promises, "I will wipe away all of their tears."
As important as their time on the Island was, it really was just a small prologue to the journey they were preparing to begin...and with those they love.  As Jack begins to enter into the celebration the scene shuttles back and forth between the joy he is experiencing in heaven and his dying moments having sacrificed himself on the Island to save his friends.

Because he is now in eternity everything seems to be happening at the same time...which I think has been one of the best representations of eternity shown on TV.  The bible often alludes to our already being seated with God in heavenly places.  That I am both living out a life in a linear mortal timeline on earth yet at the same time I am celebrating in heaven.

The episode ends as Jack "dies" and at the same moment Jack's father Christian (yes, Christian Shepherd) opens the main doors of the church letting in a heavenly light.  For me, it was a highly emotional moment and puts everything into perspective.  One day I too shall die, but I know, I am already greeting family, friends, and my Lord in eternity.

TV You Should Watch: The Event

The Chinese New Year holiday is in full swing here in Hong Kong and its a time that usually lends itself to getting outside and onto the gorgeous hiking trails which permeate the territory.  However the weather has been cold, rainy, and down right terrible...so what to do?

Perfect weather though for sitting inside, stocking up with plenty of  "comfort" food favorites, finding a new TV show with an arching story line,... and watching the hours fly by.

Our "on demand" station here in Hong Kong is offering a show I was aware of called The Event.  It looked like one of those alien invasion type shows but I was skeptical as it seemed the show was cancelled after a single season.  (Which more often suggests it was really good!)

But did I really want to invest the emotional time into a story and characters that were not sticking around?

Well, lets just watch one we said,  and see...

22 episodes later we were spent!  I can say its unfortunate that smart, intelligent written shows get cancelled while so many others (reality shows anyone?) are in their 4th, 5th, or 10th seasons?

Tammy kept us fed throughout the marathon making her version of "Chipoltle burritos".  At one point I felt so guilty about eating and sitting that I went down to our apartment lobby and ran back up the stairs to our flat on the 21st floor.  (Then after the next episode I did it again.)

So what is the show about?  I am not going to write a big deal on that other than to say if The X-Files, V, and , 24 were to have a baby together...it would be The Event.  



What I can say was it was comforting to see a new spin on the "space alien" and their intentions on Earth.  Traditionally the extraterrestrial coming to our little planet are evil, who see humans as no more than an infestation to be eliminated i.e. Independence Day, or as the benevolent messiah like character that is persecuted by our human insecurities i.e. ET .


The Event instead presents its aliens...as us.  The show is partially an analogy of Western Imperialism. What if aliens valued us...but not as much as themselves?  And when their interests are jeopardized, how they will make decisions at times which are contrary to their values and mores?  It makes for interesting storytelling to see "good" people making "wrong" decisions.

I was happy that the season ended with a measure of "closure" although they opened up a great new story line for a season 2 that, unfortunately, will never be.

But it gets the "Steve's TV Shows You Should Be Watching" award so if you get a chance, give it a look.

TV You Should Watch: Yes Minister!

I've been meaning to start a series of occasional posts highlighting what I believe are the Best TV Shows ever and why you should give them a look see.  This post is prompted by seeing a You Tube clip from the BBC highlighting the possibility that Yes Minister  is the Best British comedy ever.

Co-Writer Jonathan Lynn describes it best when he says, "There is no reason why, when you think about it, Yes Minister should be a hit.  There's no sex, no action... on paper it's a complete dud!"

Despite this, I have watched all of the episodes MANY times over and in my humble opinion it is one of the funniest, most intelligently written shows ever produced. Yes Minister follows the exploits of the Minister of Administrative Affairs James Hacker and his Machiavellian Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby.  In later episodes, Hacker is elected to be the Prime Minister and then things get even more crazy.



I know this clip is a little long but if you want a good laugh and a little understanding of what I find to be extremely funny, watch it until the end.

Although the action takes place in a Reagan / Thatcher era Great Britain, the parody of the absurdity of modern politics are laid bare in all of their glorious grandeur.

So take Uncle Stevie's advice and give Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister a look...