Scarborough Seashells: May 2010

I didn't intend to blog about this, heaven knows there are MORE than enough blogs dedicated to the subject. But I just read an article on MSNBC titled "That was the end of ‘Lost’?! Are you kidding us?" and it ends with the line "At least no one can say they saw that coming. " Seriously? No one?

Now I wish I had been one of the conspiracy theory bloggers. I WISH I had documented my theories from the get go. I am a dedicated LOST fanatic, I love the Wednesday morning theorizing, I love the back and forth texting with my girlfriend Jen the moment the show is over. And most of all I have loved every minute of telling people "I'm telling you, they're all dead. Trust me, they're dead."

At the very basics- there is the blatant symbolism. "Jack the Shepherd" and his father "Christian".
The use of black and white.And the balance needed between them.

The light at the center of the island. What about the references to the Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland?

(Ben as Henry Gale)

(Charlie at the Looking Glass Station)
Both stories of worlds that simply AREN'T real, except in the minds of their creators.

And as the seasons progressed- the appearance and reappearance of people we KNOW can't possibly be there. Like Walt.

And Michael- who no matter how hard he tries, can't die.

And what about The Dharma Initiative?

Hinduism describes dharma as the natural universal laws whose observance enables humans to be contented and happy, and to save themselves from degradation and suffering. Dharma is the moral law combined with spiritual discipline that guides one's life. Hindus consider dharma the very foundation of life. It means "that which holds" the people of this world and the whole creation. Dharma is the "law of being" without which things cannot exist.

The purpose of dharma is not only to attain a union of the soul with the supreme reality, it also suggests a code of conduct that is intended to secure both worldly joys and supreme happiness. Anything that helps human being to reach god is dharma.

A life lead in accordance with Dharma helps one to more quickly reach Nirvana; the state of being free from suffering.

Then there is the fact that no women on the island can carry a child to term. Well of course not, there is no birth in a world that is death. Claire was pregnant in her death, so when she died, Aaron died with her. This made it possible for her to bring him to "life" on the island.

And what about Rose's cancer? Locke's healed spine? Charlie's (final) successful attempt to kick his drug addiction? In death we are not plagued by earthly ailments. (Nirvana)

Now all that being said, it's been fun to read all the other theories about time travel, alternate universes, aliens and what have you. Don't get me wrong. I love poking around inside other people's heads to see where they think the destiny of Kate, Hurley, Sawyer and the like lie.

It's been a wonderful six seasons and I cannot wait to own the entire collection and sit and watch it from beginning to glorious end. But are that many people out there truly disappointed? Did no one ever toy with the idea that there was just too much inconsistency throughout the twisted time and story lines to realize that none of it could actually TRULY be happening?

Death explained so much for me. It makes the bizarre sensible- like random polar bears and the island's mysterious healing qualities. I feel like people were always too wrapped up in the tiny snippets of "did you see that water bottle with the Dharma logo on it? I wonder what it means?...." "I think that Aaron is going to become Jacob...." To those people I have to ask- Has no one ever told you to focus on the bigger picture? Getting caught up in the details can make a person miss a lot!

I remember my "ah ha" moment. When I was absolutely convinced I was on the right track with my theory that the island was a purgatory of sorts- a place for all these people to come to terms with their lives and with their deaths. It was when Hurley began seeing ghosts. I knew he was not crazy, he just didn't read as crazy. He read as he always has to me- mellow and go with the flow. I decided right then and there that the reason Hugo was seeing these people was because he was beginning to come to grips with what had happened. He was more "enlightened" if you will.

In life we all deal with death and grieve for those we've lost. (no pun intended) Who's to say that the ones who've passed away don't also experience a similar grieving process?

Shock and denial: the early moments after the crash; confusion, chaos and a general feeling of "okay now what do we do?"

Not to mention Jack- the biggest and ultimately longest struggle with this stage. Ridiculously optimistic that they could get back to their "normal" lives if they just __________ (fill in the blank)

Pain and guilt: I think this is best covered by looking at people's back stories. The things we saw them do, the people who were affected by their choices. Juliet's guilt over leaving her sister. Sayid the torturer's inability to keep love in his life- torturing himself for the cruelties he bestowed on others.

Anger and bargaining: The battles between the sub groups- Everyone on the island wanted to believe they were doing what was best, what was right.

They could never collectively decide which path to take, which leader to follow which person to trust.

Bargaining. First let me say: Richard. Richard who agreed to stay on the island and advise Jacob in exchange for eternal life, which is what he thought he wanted.

I think Ben is stuck in this stage. He is still convinced that he can somehow cheat what is waiting for him by doing what the island requires of him. He isn't ready to let go.

(I mean come on, he's literally digging his own grave!)
Depression, reflection and lonliness:

While there are many examples of this throughout- and I believe that the flash forward world points to this stage- in my mind, the clearest moment of this is in a flash forward when we see a broken Jack standing on the bridge ready to take his life.

The upward turn: The realization that they must all get on that Ajira flight and head back to the island. They can't escape the fate that was intended for them.

Reconstruction and working through: Unravelling the secrets that the island held. Learning slowly, at a pace that each of them needed to move at, what this place was for them and likely, where it would lead them. Aknowledging the mistakes and choices they made in life, letting go of the what-ifs of a life they never got to lead (sideways world stuff) and finding redemption through helping each other and loving one another. (aka DHARMA->NIRVANA)

Acceptance and hope: The final season. Where we see each character touching the life of another and encouraging them to stop clinging to what isn't real. To remember what happened and to be okay with it.