Get LOST: The Final Season Preview

Posted by Ben Piper on 02.02.2010

411's Ben Piper and friends are back to talk about the final season of LOST! What can we expect, and what answers must be provided by the end? Come inside to find out.














Hello everyone. Welcome back once again to the only 411 column solely devoted to what I truly feel is the very best TV show on the airwaves today, LOST! As always, I am your favorite chasm-falling bomb-smashing sideways grinning hot blonde, Ben Piper.

Before we begin, I would like to greatly thank my good pal Velcronius (not his real name) for providing me yet again the banners for this column. If you wish to check out more of his work, click the link here.

And so now here we stand, at the precipice of the one true beginning of the end. While I am giddy as per usual at the notion that my all time favorite show is about to come back to the airwaves and whallop me with a heavy dose of fanboy goodness upside my noggin, this fact is tempered with a touch of the bittersweet. After all, this is going to be the final season premiere. After this there will be no more.

I mean, sure we have the rest of the final season to look forward to and all, but it's just… different this time around. Before we didn't have the heaviness of the fact that this would in fact be the final salvo, or the end game. We always had more to look forward to.

But yeah, this is it. I hope you're strapped in and ready for whatever weirdness comes our way in the next few months. I know that I am. Shit, I've been strapped in tight into the passenger's seat since season one, and I'm not about to loosen the reigns now.

If it feels like I'm filling, or padding this column already, there's a reason for that. 1) The showrunners have been notoriously tight-lipped this past year with regards to what season six shall look like. And 2) I'm feeling a bit nostalgic.

After all, this show is the sole reason why I managed to be hired as a writer for 411 in the first place. While I always had a talent for writing since I was a young un', it wasn't until I got hired to write for this website and about this show that I was able to branch out of my comfort zone and stretch. As a result, not only have I been able to write a LOT of columns centered around my favorite show, but I've also been able to make a good number of friends amongst the rest of the staff, been allowed to fill in for said friends when the time called for it, been sent free DVD's to review, (including the last three Lost box sets) and in some small way make a name for myself. I mean, hell. I've got fans of my own. I've got the emails to prove it.

So all in all, I've had a good run. For which I'm truly grateful.

Now, before anyone bitches about me making this column all about me and my personal feelings? Screw you, buckle down, and shut the hell up.

The showrunners have made public statements that the final season will not only mirror the first season in some way, shape, or form, but as well focus in more on the faith vs. science argument that has been the underlying crux of the show since way back in the day, personified by Jack and John Locke. And that these two characters will most assuredly butt heads as a result.

And seeing as Locke isn't really himself anymore (literally)? It should prove to be interesting. Will Jack know that he's no longer dealing with the real John Locke or will he be taking in on faith that this is still the guy he's been at odds with since the get-go?

And that's ignoring the fact that last we saw them, they were separated by a thirty-year time span. Seriously, don't ask me how that will pan out. The most obvious thing would be that after she fell down the well in the season five finale. Juliet was able to detonate Jughead, resulting in a reboot, or a do-over. Or what have you.

Warning: Spoilers lie directly ahead. Skip the next few paragraphs if you don't want to know.

This seems to be pretty much a forgone conclusion, the fact that Jughead accomplished hitting the reset button, considering that many former cast members going as far back as season one have signed on for either one-off appearances or brief two or three episode arcs for the final season. Amongst those returning to the island of mystery are Ian Somerhalder (Boone); Dominic Monaghan (Charlie); Elizabeth Mitchell (Juliet); Maggie Grace (Shannon); Cynthia Watros (Libby); Harold Perrineau (Michael); Rebecca Mader (Charlotte); Jeremy Davies (Faraday) plus possibly more. (Bring back Eko!)

Also confirmed is that Katey Segal, whom played Locke's love interest Helen will be returning, as will Mark Pellegrino, whom played Jacob in last year's finale. He will be returning for at least six episodes. And yes, the Man In Black, as portrayed by Titus Welliver will show up at some point as well. Furthermore, Emilie De Raven (Claire) returns as a full time cast member after being MIA all of last year with the exception of a brief cameo.

Showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have said that there will be no time travel or flash-forwards in season six, and that they will be utilizing a new narrative device that the show hasn't seen before. What this might be? Naturally, they're not saying. They have gone on record though as to state that season six will be providing the answers to the show's biggest mysteries, but that they won't be answering everything ever brought up during the show's run, preferring to go out with an air of intrigue with regards to many of the lesser questions that have been brought up along the way. That way, they reason, the fans can continue to debate amongst themselves with regards to whatever these unsolved questions wind up being.

Their approach towards giving out the answers in this final season is logical. If the characters want to know the answers, then the show shall provide them. As examples, Hurley cares about the numbers, so we'll likely get more info. Jack wants to know if he is in fact fated to be on the island for a specific purpose, so that possibility shall be explored. So on and so forth.



So that's what I have for the moment. But wait, we're not done! You may have been wondering, "whatever happened to Rick Tym?" Well, Rick has gone back to school in an effort to pick up a Masters degree. (And you can't really blame him seeing as his employer is paying for it) But as a result he has had to turn his back on 411 for the time being, seeing as he's working his ass off in his real life and what little time left over has to be devoted to his new family. So, I'm sad to say, that Rick will not be taking part in Get LOST this year.

Psyche! Nah, Rick's here. While he's busy as hell, he has promised me that he will make time to take part in this humble column. As always I'm appreciative and more than happy to have him back to help out. Let's get his quick thoughts as well as his top ten list of things he wants to see answered in season six;

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Well, here we are. The end is near, and for some (myself included) the air of excitement is matched only by the sad realization that once this season ends, it's all over. No more Smokey. No more "Waaaaallllltttttt!!" No more smash cuts to black or white with ghostly letters spelling out "Lost" on our television screens. No more close-ups of eyes opening accompanied by a harsh gasp as we pan out to see the surrounding Island jungle. (I'm betting that we do see that once or twice more before our time is up, though.) This is going to be bigger and better than Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, my friends and neighbors. Sure to be discussed, analyzed, loved and hated by all who have come this far, the final season of Lost has arrived. While we get ready to contemplate all that is sure to be revealed (and left unanswered), I present to you (in some particular order) some Lost mysteries I would like to see addressed before it all comes to an end:

10. Is it all in Vincent's head? (Kidding. Kind of.)

9. Did Jack, et al. manifest the "Incident" as intended? What are the repercussions? (This should be answered fairly early, most likely in the season premiere.) I need to know what that flash to white was, dammit!

8. What is the origin of the Four-Toed Statue? See also: The Black Rock.

7. What's the deal with Ageless Richard Alpert?

6. Who is good, and who is evil? Or is it all just shades of gray? See: Charles Widmore and Benjamin Linus, Jacob and the "Man in Black," Christian Shephard, Eloise Hawking, etc.

5. What is Smokey? See also: judgment, Island consciousness, Sonic Fence.

4. Will Desmond and Penny (and their son Charlie) live happily ever after?

3. What are the Numbers?

2. Will the various characters, who we've come to love and hate over the past seasons, find redemption? The biggest character I wonder about is, obviously, my main man John Locke. Will Fake Locke rule supreme, or will the Real Locke stand up and triumph in a doppelganger-esque battle to the death?

1. What is the Island, really? Spaceship, time travel mechanism, Garden of Eden, purgatory? All of the above? Furthermore, why does it heal those afflicted? Why can't women successfully carry their pregnancies to term whilst walking upon its sandy beaches, jungle floors, or secret Dharma Stations? So many Island-related issues derived from the simple question of "What is the Island?" All can be wrapped up into that first question, and that's why it occupies my number one slot.

Honorable mentions not included in the above Top Ten are things such as the Adam and Eve issue, who Kate will end up with, and various other conundrums that have been presented thus far along Lost's wild ride. This goes for anything such as Libby's true role in the Island's intentions up to and including whether or not Nikki and Paulo will rise, zombie-like from the grave, to eat Jacob's decaying brains. (I've been reading a lot of horror novels in my time away from 411mania, so please forgive my inclinations towards the grotesque.) This Top Ten could easily be expanded to about a Top Fifty-Seven or so, but I hope you all can forgive my ramblings. I'm convinced that some things may simply not be answered as we hurtle dizzily towards the end of our favorite show, but I'm okay with that. I believe that any mysteries that remain will only lend themselves to the mystique that Lost has always embraced. I look forward to the end and the final season's ride towards it, no matter what awaits us – and everybody associated with that damned Island – at the end of the hieroglyph-marked tunnel. Namaste!

*****

Thanks Rick. It's good to have you back in the fold, and personally I'm looking forward to taking that wild ride with you towards the end.

That said, while Rick is back for the final season of columns, he simply doesn't have the time to have my back with regards to writing egregiously long recaps. As such, I knew I needed to add a third party into the mix to help me out when the show runs back to back episodes like they will for the premiere.

And it didn't really take me all that long to figure out whom I should ask. After all, not long after I started writing the Get LOST column way back in season 3, some young whippersnapper got hired onto 411 and one of the first things he did was request on the staff forums that he be allowed to write a recap of my Lost recap, that's how much of a fan of the show he was! At the time, I was not amused.

But finally, his time has come. Also helping out with the column this year shall be Wrestling/MMA 411 staffer Dustin James. While that may seem like a weird choice to a lot of you, the guy knows his stuff with regards to Lost. He's been a fan of the show since day one, and over the exchanged emails we've shared I have no doubt that he is as passionate about Lost as Rick and I am. Please give him the benefit of the doubt and a chance to show what he can do.

No better time to start than now, as he presents his thoughts for season six as well as his personal top ten list of the mysteries he most wants answered…

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Hello 411 faithful! My name is Dustin James and I'm the newest addition to 411's triple threat of LOSTIES along with Ben and Rick! I'm totally jazzed to join the two of them for this historical final season of LOST and I really hope to help make it memorable for all of you as well. It's been over nine months since we last saw that white screen with the huge letters "LOST" come up after Juliet apparently blew up the island, and I personally can't wait to see what my favorite group of television writers will hand out every week over the course of the next few months.

While there is a lot of stuff to look forward to this season (we will get to that later), perhaps the thing that I'm looking forward to the most is seeing exactly how the show will end...as cliche as that may sound. I just happen to be one of those people who die of curiosity. When I see an unopened package, I won't rest easy until I know exactly what is in said package. I'm the same way with television shows and movies. I'm very impatient and for some reason I have to know exactly what's going on RIGHT NOW! So, you can see the pain that I have had to endure over the course of the last six years thanks to this show.

The show had me hooked right from the beginning and I always wanted to know how it was going to end. I can't believe we are just a few months away from finally getting an answer. It's kind of like having a Christmas present in your possession that you weren't allowed to open for 5 years. Eventually it's going to drive you nuts and you are going to at least peek at the package. Well, since we can't even peek at this package....we are all dying for answers and we will hopefully get them in what may end up being the greatest few months in television history.

Now, I present to you....my top 10 LOST questions that I need answers to this year. While the show has presented plenty of mysteries the last few years, these are the ones that I need answers to in a BIG WAY (note: I didn't rank these in order since I view them all as very important questions!):


1) The mysterious whispering - One of the first things that gave LOST fans a clue as to why this island is filled with mysteries was the constant whispering that could be heard throughout the jungle. While we may be able to chalk it up to The Others, we have also heard these whispers off the island as well. It seems the whispers always come around whenever someone is in trouble which HAS to mean the whispers are important.....right? The writers have confirmed that the whispers are indeed an actual language and are probably just jam packed with clues, if only we could decipher them for ourselves! I'm really hoping the writers will finally reveal who's actually behind all this whispering and what exactly it is they are saying this season.

2) The pregnancy issues - One of the big things on the show that really has me puzzled is the trouble that women on the island have with pregnancy issues. While women on the island suffer some of problem with their reproductive organs, doesn't the island have healing powers that could fix that? Juliet's main job on the island was to help solve this fertility issue and it seemed like she was on track before the fit hit the shan. While at first it seemed like no one could get pregnant on the island, it now appears as though women can pregnant, but will die soon afterwards. Why can't women on the island have babies? Why do women die when they have babies? Why can't the island heal them? LET US KNOW!

3) The numbers - What LOST fan isn't familiar with 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42 (108!)? While we have been giving some clues as to what the numbers mean exactly, we still haven't officially got an answer as to why they are so important. In case you never noticed, the numbers are all over the show. They were Hurley's winning lotto numbers, they are the numbers you have to put into the computer in the Hatch (every 108 minutes), a transmission of the numbers are what brought Danielle Rousseau and her expedition to the island, and that's just the tip of the iceberg with how the numbers relate to the show. It's been revealed (not on the show though) that the numbers are coincidentally the same value as the "Valenzetti Equation", which is a math formula that supposedly predicts the end of the world. Either way, the numbers have big meaning and we need to know why.....

4) The island's healing touch - What is it about the island that seemingly cures people of life threatening diseases? It doesn't matter if it's Rose's battle with cancer, Locke's paralysis, or young Ben being saved after being shot by Sayid. The island seemingly picks out whomever it wants and heals them of their illness. What we need to know now is....why does the island pick certain people to heal? Why didn't the island heal people like Libby, Ana Lucia, Boone, and Shannon who all died on the island? How does the island cure these people? How come the island can seemingly cure illness but women can't get pregnant? This is one I feel they really need to address.

5) Where the hell is Claire? - When LOST first started, Claire became a huge fan favorite mainly due to her pregnancy (who didn't know the pregnant chick on LOST?) and her love story with Charlie. Well, after the birth of Aaron...the two seemed inseparable. That was until Claire saw her dead father and followed him into the jungle, leaving Aaron behind where he was thankfully found by Sawyer. Not only that, but the last time we saw Claire she was kicking it with her dad in Jacob's cabin....and she seemingly didn't give two craps about Aaron's well being. Why did Claire leave Aaron behind in the jungle? Why was she hanging out with her dad in Jacob's cabin? This is one mystery I know will most likely be solved quickly this season, but it still puzzles me as to what happened to Claire.

6) What's so special about Walt? - This is one of the mysteries that I keep thinking the writers have abandoned thanks to how little Walt has appeared on the show over the years. When the show first started, it felt like Walt was one of the most important pieces of the LOST puzzle, but that has seemingly died down in a way over the years. However, I still remember all the talk about Walt's "powers" and I believe we need answers! Why is he "special"? Why did Walt not want Locke to open the hatch? Why does Walt appear on the island as a manifestation? Hopefully the writers will focus a lot on Walt this season as I personally feel he deserves more attention.

7) What's up with Jacob? - Ahhh, Jacob. The man who is seemingly "in charge of the island" is also probably the biggest mystery on the island. Last season we finally learned more about the man and finally got to see what he looked like. However, I feel instead of learning more about the man, they posed us with more questions regarding his character. Why does Jacob seem to summon certain people to act out orders for him? Why did Jacob bless Richard Alpert with the power of never aging? Why does Christian Shephard always appear in Jacob's cabin? Why did Jacob leave the island at various times to encounter the Oceanic Six? Why did "Locke" have Ben kill Jacob? Who are these people that are supposedly coming to the island now that Jacob has been murdered? Jacob is a character still shrouded in mystery and will more than likely be a huge factor this season.

8) The man in black - One of the most important scenes from last season had to have been the confrontation between Jacob and the mysterious "man in black." The first time we saw the two, they were sitting on the beach (by the statue of Taweret) and were engaged in a conversation. They were witnessing a boat on the horizon (the Black Rock?) and the man in black appeared to be annoyed that Jacob was "bringing this ship to the island and that it would only lead to fighting, corruption, and destruction." Not only that, but the mysterious man in black has seemingly been looking for a "loophole" to kill Jacob for centuries now. Well, it seems he got his wish when he took the form of "John Locke" and ordered Ben to kill Jacob. He even mentioned to Jacob that he finally found the loophole he had been looking for. Who is this man? Why does he hate Jacob so much? What's going to happen now that he's still in the shape of John Locke? Will anyone be able to stop him?

9) The black smoke - While we have learned so much about the notorious "black smoke", there is still soooo much we have yet to learn. We know the smoke can take the shape of things that have died, we know it's a "security system" of some sort, and all that good stuff. However, we don't know where it came from are what else this thing can do. There are still many questions surrounding the island's resident monster and I really hope the final season will shed some light on what exactly this thing is.

10) The importance of the statue of Taweret - Like a lot of other people, I was captivated by the statue of Taweret from the moment we first saw it as just a foot with four toes. However, there are still numerous questions surrounding the statue. Why was it built in the first place? How did it get destroyed? Where is the rest of the statue currently at? I have a feeling that this last season is going to focus a lot on the statue of Taweret and why the Egyptian goddess of birth, rebirth, and the northern sky means so much to the show.

And that's it for me this week! I'll see you all next week when the final season of our favorite show FINALLY begins! It's going to be one heck of a ride......

-Dustin James

*****


Thank so much Dustin. I greatly look forward to working with you moving forward this final season.

So okay, both Rick and Dustin have provided their own personal top ten lists of stuff they want answered. It's now my turn.

10. Libby's backstory- when it was publicly stated that actress Cynthia Watros had no desire to return to the show over the past couple of years, I feared that it would leave a great big thread dangling. Why was she in the loony bin with Hurley, and appearing to keep an eye on him? Why did she happen to be in the right place at the right time to give her boat to Desmond so he could take part in Widmore's around the world race? Why did she cozy up to Hurly once they were both on the island, despite the fact that with one cold look after a shared kiss, we could tell she was clearly not that into him? Was she working for Widmore, or is it something else? Seeing that Watros has agreed to come back in the role of Libby, maybe we'll get those answers.

9. Walt being "Special"- Like Dustin, when this story thread was introduced back in season one I was greatly intrigued by it and the possibilities that it could present. Only then, it devolved into Michael's self-centered nature in getting his son back (gratingly) during season two, and was never really picked up on again. While I have it listed here, I'm betting this is one of the mysteries that will go unanswered. Especially seeing as Malcolm David Kelly, the boy whom plays Walt has grown up so much and would seemingly appear out of place in whatever timeline the story presents in season six. At least that's what the showrunners are saying, but then again, they could be misdirectioning us.

8. What's up with the interconnectivity?- Several times in the show, we've seen main characters rub elbows with one another either directly or by association in passing before their time on the island. As many times as this has happened, it can't be simple coincidence, can it? Sayid's one true love Nadia had her house inspected by Locke, and was rescued from a mugging by Charlie. When Jack chose to work on saving his future wife Sara he basically allowed Shannon's father to die. My favorite of the bunch probably has to be Sawyer sharing a drink with Christian in an Australian bar, only to relate the story of that exchange to Jack later on on the island. Seriously, this one needs to be addressed, but might not, seeing as the producers have stated that they will solve the mysteries that the characters care about. Seeing as for the most part the characters are unaware of all this? This one may go unanswered.

7. The numbers- While part of the significance was explained with that whole "Valenzetti Equation" thingee that was a result of one of LOST's viral ventures, I would like a satisfying conclusion to Hurley's storyline, as he is one of my favorite characters. He, and I, need closure.

6. Jacob vs. The MIB- We had been teased for a long while now that a war was coming to the island. At first we thought it would be the 815er's vs. The Others. But team 815 won that one handily in the season 3 finale. Then we thought it would be the island folk vs. the freighter folk. Again, handled pretty much and put to rest. Then we were led to believe that it would be Ben vs. Widmore for control of the island. While I'm certain that will wind up being a part of the final battle the generals of this war are two entities we've just been introduced to; Jacob and the Man In Black. Seemingly, they are/have been playing chess with people's lives as the pieces with the fate of the island at stake. We need some more backstory, and given what I've read, we just may wind up getting it before the final act plays out. See also; Rules of Engagement.

5. What happens after Jughead goes BOOM- This one is easy, and considering that it will likely be answered after the first episode, a bit of a cheat. But I don't care. When I watched the season finale as it aired and the ending played out, I not only cursed the showrunners for completely not giving us any clue as to what to expect next but in the same breath had to give it up to them that they knew what they were doing. They knew we'd all be stoked for whatever came next.

4. Is John Locke really dead for good?- Sure, the fantastic Emmy award-winning actor Terry O'Quinn is still employed on the show, but now he's Un-Locke, or Non-Locke. (Take your pick) For certain he will prove to be a vital piece in the show's final season as the main heavy, given what we know at this point. But am I not the only one that thinks that we haven't seen the last of the real true John Locke? (Even though he's as dead as a doornail?) The island has provided miracles before. I just have this nagging feeling that while he's dead, SOMETHING is going to happen that'll allow John Locke to weigh in and tip the balance of the final battle, whatever the circumstances of that winds up being.

3. Smokey- This one goes without saying. It was basically the great big first mystery of the island we were presented, and as a result must be answered and resolved. Early internet and printed magazine hints posted and printed at this time point to a great big revelation with regards to this entity early on in season six.

Personally, I'm expecting what I suspected once I saw the season five finale. Smokey= MIB= Non-Locke. If I'm proven wrong, I'll eat my humble pie and own up to it. If I'm right? Yes, you'll likely never hear the end of it.

But beyond that, even if my suspicions come to pass, there are many more unresolved answers that we need in this regards beyond all that. The whole security system thing? Jacob's cabin and whom in fact was housed in it? All that ties in to this. All of this should be answered.

2. What is the island and it's significance?- Again, Rick brought this up earlier with his list. Clearly this is a valuable piece of real estate we're talking about here. Given what we've seen, people have been fighting and dying over it for decades, and perhaps even centuries. I hope that any answers in this area that we eventually are provided don't wind up being nebulous non-answers in which we wind up debating over for years on end pressing forward.

1. How does the story end? – Like Dustin, I just want to see the end game, and how it plays out. I've invested several years of my life and worked my ass off passionately writing these columns for the past few years. As I stated in my write up of the "Most Wanted of 2010" segment of the 2009 Movie and TV Awards with regards to Lost heading into the final season?

They had better not f*** it up…

Bring it on, and please, do not let us all down.

Many thanks to both Rick and Dustin for weighing in. Both will be back next week as we recap the first two hours of season six; LA X (parts one and two). I will be in charge of the first hour, Dustin will take care of the second, and hopefully Rick will impart his wisdom on both fronts with regards to providing analysis thereof.

We're on the clock. And we'll see you next week.
Namaste.
-BP