Comments on: LOST Prediction: The Phenomena of the Reveal and the Question of LOST http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/ the blog of Eric Austin Lee Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:16:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Scott Savage http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/comment-page-1/#comment-6493 Scott Savage Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:02:44 +0000 http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/19/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/#comment-6493 Eric, It's difficult to say whether or not LOST is plot driven or character driven at this point (maybe that's a cop-out). We are all very much invested in the characters and, no doubt, our hearts are strangely warmed when back or front story further develops a character. We are also very much invested in where this story as a whole is going, sometimes in spite of the characters. Of course, in a show like LOST plot and character are not so easily divorced. I think I will be with you, frustrated and screaming, "but it's not as simple as that!" Peace, Scott Eric,
It’s difficult to say whether or not LOST is plot driven or character driven at this point (maybe that’s a cop-out). We are all very much invested in the characters and, no doubt, our hearts are strangely warmed when back or front story further develops a character. We are also very much invested in where this story as a whole is going, sometimes in spite of the characters. Of course, in a show like LOST plot and character are not so easily divorced. I think I will be with you, frustrated and screaming, “but it’s not as simple as that!”

Peace,
Scott

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/comment-page-1/#comment-6492 Jennifer Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:26:39 +0000 http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/19/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/#comment-6492 I love Lost! The show is definitely about more than its plot reveals. I think at its core, it's about being lost, spiritually speaking. All of the characters were adrift, with issues in their past that they are forced to deal with on the island - Sun and Jin's marriage, Charlie's addiction, Sawyer's need for revenge, etc. Forgiveness is a big theme too. I absolutely loved the Mister Eko storyline until the episode where he died and refused to repent - that was totally out of character and I blame the writers. Anyway, up until then I thought the storyline was beautiful. The flash forwards are showing us that (my guesses here) the Six are lying about the other survivors and have cut some kind of deal for themselves. Jack and the other five survivors may be back home but they are still lost. I love Lost! The show is definitely about more than its plot reveals. I think at its core, it’s about being lost, spiritually speaking. All of the characters were adrift, with issues in their past that they are forced to deal with on the island – Sun and Jin’s marriage, Charlie’s addiction, Sawyer’s need for revenge, etc. Forgiveness is a big theme too. I absolutely loved the Mister Eko storyline until the episode where he died and refused to repent – that was totally out of character and I blame the writers. Anyway, up until then I thought the storyline was beautiful.

The flash forwards are showing us that (my guesses here) the Six are lying about the other survivors and have cut some kind of deal for themselves. Jack and the other five survivors may be back home but they are still lost.

]]> By: Kara http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/comment-page-1/#comment-6417 Kara Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:02:55 +0000 http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/19/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/#comment-6417 Eric, I think part of the reason that LOST attracts all sorts of viewers (but only some become so craaaazy as Charlie and you) is that it's more than a plot line. If someone enjoys LOST only as they would an adventure flick--albeit a long one--they might be absolutely devastated by plot spoilers. In the immediacy of watching one episode per week, one week after the other, people can spoil the plot for one another in miniature. But I think that if someone were to tell me the ending now (For instance, all the LOSTies are rescued, but when they leave the Island's time warp, only those who actually survived the crash--versus those who actually died but the island allowed to remain in limbo-life--make it back and these are the "Oceanic Six" who feel guilty for removing their zombie friends from the island's respite. The End.) , I am invested enough in the characters and in their backstories and in their wrestling with their pasts and forging new and different futures that I wouldn't think for an instant of calling it quits. I don't think that personal and interpersonal mysteries (with the Island as one of those persons, both exceptionally visible and mysterious) that make the show tick will ever dissolve with a spoiler. Um, that's probably NOT what you were wondering, but I think I said what I meant to say. :) Eric,
I think part of the reason that LOST attracts all sorts of viewers (but only some become so craaaazy as Charlie and you) is that it’s more than a plot line. If someone enjoys LOST only as they would an adventure flick–albeit a long one–they might be absolutely devastated by plot spoilers. In the immediacy of watching one episode per week, one week after the other, people can spoil the plot for one another in miniature. But I think that if someone were to tell me the ending now (For instance, all the LOSTies are rescued, but when they leave the Island’s time warp, only those who actually survived the crash–versus those who actually died but the island allowed to remain in limbo-life–make it back and these are the “Oceanic Six” who feel guilty for removing their zombie friends from the island’s respite. The End.) , I am invested enough in the characters and in their backstories and in their wrestling with their pasts and forging new and different futures that I wouldn’t think for an instant of calling it quits.

I don’t think that personal and interpersonal mysteries (with the Island as one of those persons, both exceptionally visible and mysterious) that make the show tick will ever dissolve with a spoiler.

Um, that’s probably NOT what you were wondering, but I think I said what I meant to say. :)

]]> By: Kaz http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/comment-page-1/#comment-6402 Kaz Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:36:29 +0000 http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/19/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/#comment-6402 Aww, Locke looks so young in that photo. Aww, Locke looks so young in that photo.

]]> By: Dale http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/comment-page-1/#comment-6365 Dale Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:28:57 +0000 http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/19/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/#comment-6365 i love that show! Have you seen the HD full screen for any of the episodes at abc.com Pretty impressive looking. i love that show! Have you seen the HD full screen for any of the episodes at abc.com Pretty impressive looking.

]]> By: Wilson Ryland http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/comment-page-1/#comment-6300 Wilson Ryland Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:26:05 +0000 http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/02/19/lost-prediction-the-phenomena-of-the-reveal-and-the-question-of-lost/#comment-6300 Before I answer this question, let me insulate myself a bit. I am just going to make an analogy, not a one-to-one comparison here. I in no way intend to place Lost's narrative and meaning on the same level as the gospel. With that said, perhaps spoiling plot details will spoil it for some. Many people miss the depth of the gospel because they "know how the story goes and my relationship with Christ is just find, thank you very much!" Many of these forgo participating in formative liturgical acts for this very reason. However, I doubt it will really spoil the show for people, like yourself, who have truly invested something in it. It may be a bummer to know bits of what is coming, but that's it, a bummer, not a desecrator. Knowing that Christ has risen does not spoil lent for one who still dives into it. Again, knowingly being repetitive, I am not putting Lost on the same level as the Christian story. If it becomes as meaningful for you as lent, give it up for lent. :) Before I answer this question, let me insulate myself a bit. I am just going to make an analogy, not a one-to-one comparison here. I in no way intend to place Lost’s narrative and meaning on the same level as the gospel.

With that said, perhaps spoiling plot details will spoil it for some. Many people miss the depth of the gospel because they “know how the story goes and my relationship with Christ is just find, thank you very much!” Many of these forgo participating in formative liturgical acts for this very reason. However, I doubt it will really spoil the show for people, like yourself, who have truly invested something in it. It may be a bummer to know bits of what is coming, but that’s it, a bummer, not a desecrator. Knowing that Christ has risen does not spoil lent for one who still dives into it.

Again, knowingly being repetitive, I am not putting Lost on the same level as the Christian story. If it becomes as meaningful for you as lent, give it up for lent. :)

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