Lost

  
Last night observed the bittersweet ending of one of my very favorite television shows.

 

Over the past six years, Lost has become a pop-cultural phenomenon, gaining the extreme devotion of large fan groups as well as spawning deep discussions on a wide range of subjects, including spirituality, philosophy, morals, love, etc.  While I don't intend to discuss the finale (there are still many who have not seen it), and while I recognize that the finale generated polarized reviews, I will say that I tried to watch the finale from the perspective that the show was the producers' story to tell and that I was along for the ride, despite any differences I might have had if I were to bring the show to an end.

Even though differences may exist in the reviews of the series finale, I think it is safe to say that the show will be remembered for quite a while in television history.  Robert Bianco from USA Today wrote an interesting article that I think provides a great summary of what Lost has been to its fans over the past six years as well as how it will be remembered and how it should be judged after its final episode.  To read this recommended article, click here.

 

One of the aspects that has made Lost such a unique show is that it had two strong storylines that generated audience interest.  The first storyline pertained to the survivors of the plane crash and their efforts to live on a mysterious island.  The second storyline pertained to the lives of these survivors both before and after their encounter with the island, and while the first storyline provided plenty of action, intrigue, and suspense, I think it was the emotional involvement in the second storyline that really hooked viewers and won their loyalty.  Another element that has won the loyalty of fans has been its willingness to incorporate subjects of fantasy and spirituality as integral parts of the story, begging viewers to expand their imaginations and credulity as the story was woven.  Smoke monsters, polar bears in a jungle, crazy scientists, time travel, and many more aspects of the show brought me back to my childhood when I longed for such adventurous stories.  At the same time, I relished moments that made reference to subjects of faith and salvation. 

During a recent bible study, we read a reference to the book The Life of Pi by Yann Martel, and in one passage of the book the main character is told the story of the gospel by a Catholic priest.  Upon hearing the story, the main character asks for another story from this religion to satisfy him, but he is told by the priest that Christianity has "one Story, and to it they came back again and again, over and over.  It was story enough for them."  I love seeing this gospel story throughout other stories and aspects of life, and it is an element of Lost that I continually enjoy finding.  In the show, the lame find they can walk, the doubters find they have faith, the hopeless gain hope, man struggles with good and evil, survivors learn that to live and love together requires self-sacrifice, sons and daughters long to be reconciled to their fathers and mothers, the characters struggle to execute justice, mercy, and forgiveness, the broken are redeemed, and the lost are found.  While I may not agree with every theological reference that is made in the show, I appreciate that the show has incorporated such elements into its story, providing the opportunity for viewers to discuss these issues and prompting fans to explore what we believe as a result. 

Thinking about issues of faith and redemption in the show, three quotes stand out to me in particular. The first comes from the first season, in which the show's main character explains that the survivors must either learn to live together or die alone. As a believer, I believe that we find eternal life through Christ, living together as His body, or we face eternal death in living lives for ourselves. We cannot live this life on our own; we require the redeeming love of a perfect Savior to gain eternal life, and we are called to live in communion with fellow believers as the body of Christ. This connection to each other is visualized in several scenes from the final season (*slight spoiler alert*) in which central characters offer cups for others to drink, and after they have shared their cup, they note that the other is now like them.  In the sacrament of communion, we partake of elements as "a bond and pledge of the union and communion shared by true believers with Christ (the head) and with each other (the members of his body)," also being "reminded of the fact that [we are] to be...faithful and obedient to Christ" (The Westminster Confession of Faith, Williamson, pp. 282-283).  A third quote comes from the series finale, in which the main character explains that there are no shortcuts or "do-overs" in life, but that everything truly happens and that everything that happens matters. As a believer, I believe that what we do in this life truly does matter. While we cannot obtain shortcuts or "do-overs" in this life, we are offered salvation in the life of Christ, who serves as our perfect "do-over." We find redemption in His proptiatory sacrifice, and we live this life as a meaningful and living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for His glory.

As I fondly look back upon one of my very favorite shows, my appreciation for Lost stems from numerous sources, including:

• Lost began shortly after our wedding and has been the one show we have consistently followed throughout our marriage
• I appreciate how creative and brave the show was in telling a unique story that had not been told before
• I am grateful for the many conversations that I have enjoyed with fellow Lost fans and friends, particularly fun discussions of possible theories and explanations for why things happened and what would happen next as well as numerous Lost viewing parties
• I love its inclusion of elements of fantasy
• I love its winding exploration of good versus evil
• I love its appreciation for faith, hope, mercy, justice, and redemption
• I love its clever writing and extremely well-written dialogue
• I love its enteraining collection of a diverse range of characters
• I appreciate its mixed incorporation of comedy, adventure, suspense, action, romance, mystery, and drama
• I am grateful that I can now use my costume box's old green jumpsuit as a Lost costume for years to come!

Thanks to Lost for an entertaining ride and great memories.  A bittersweet and fond farewell.