# How SHOULD "Lost" have ended? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 25, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740 "2010-05-25T19:58:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/21 "2010-05-27T20:55:45Z")
The only thing they had to do to ensure an ending with which I was satisfied was to actually explain what the island is and why it’s important. They never did that. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/22 "2010-05-27T21:05:33Z")
I never saw the show but, from what I gather, it might have been good to do the last hour of the finale as a broadway style musical with lots of little song and dance numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/23 "2010-05-27T21:11:33Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > If the writers actually knew how to write, this wouldn’t even have been an issue. If you actually knew how to watch, you’d have liked it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/24 "2010-05-27T21:11:36Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > By the way, have you guys heard that a 14 minutes “epilogue” showing Hurley and Ben taking care of the Island after the finale has been filmed and will be on the DVD/Blu-ray? > > [Read about it here](http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45259) Crap - does this mean it’s only going to be on the complete series set, and not in the season 6 set? They’re really going to screw those of us who eagerly bought each season as it came out out of the bonus features? Not cool, guys. WAY, WAY, WAY not cool. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/25 "2010-05-27T21:16:50Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > If you actually knew how to watch, you’d have liked it. > 😃 Oh, I liked it. Just not for any of the reasons the show writers intended. I found it to be a great comedy. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/26 "2010-05-27T21:21:47Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Crap - does this mean it’s only going to be on the complete series set, and not in the season 6 set? They’re really going to screw those of us who eagerly bought each season as it came out out of the bonus features? > > Not cool, guys. WAY, WAY, WAY not cool. I assume that this scene will make its way to YouTube or another video sharing site (legitimately or not), or else ABC will post it on its own website, as there are even more of us who never bought the DVDs for each season and aren’t about to drop $150-200 on the DVD or Blu-Ray box sets. (The show was fun to watch contemporaneously, but I don’t think it would be much fun to sit through once again.) At the very least, there will be a plot description available. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/27 "2010-05-27T21:29:32Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Oh, I liked it. Just not for any of the reasons the show writers intended. > > I found it to be a great comedy. You can hate whatever you want to. But you’re completely wrong about the writers not knowing how to write. The ending was very good and the questions that needed answering were. I assume you weren’t upset at Star Wars because they never explained how a hyperdrive works? In any case, you’re entitled to your opinion, of course. Sorry they didn’t write the show you wanted to watch. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/28 "2010-05-27T21:33:27Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > The ending was very good and the questions that needed answering were. Wrong on both counts. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/29 "2010-05-27T21:44:39Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > Wrong on both counts. No U! The island is the font of something important. The MiB leaving the island is very bad for humanity as a whole… (aside from the fact that if he did leave the island he could just take over the world since he’s likely immune to conventional weapons). A version with elaborate exposition about the details of the island’s workings would have been terrible. The writers gave us what we needed. Who cares what’s in Marcellus Wallace’s briefcase? It’s irrelevant to the story. I understand that you probably wanted something more. I just don’t care. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/30 "2010-05-27T21:58:26Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > No U! > > The island is the font of something important. The MiB leaving the island is very bad for humanity as a whole… (aside from the fact that if he did leave the island he could just take over the world since he’s likely immune to conventional weapons). > > A version with elaborate exposition about the details of the island’s workings would have been terrible. The writers gave us what we needed. Who cares what’s in Marcellus Wallace’s briefcase? It’s irrelevant to the story. > > I understand that you probably wanted something more. I just don’t care. 😃 And I don’t care that you don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/31 "2010-05-27T22:09:09Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > You can hate whatever you want to. But you’re completely wrong about the writers not knowing how to write. The ending was very good and the questions that needed answering were. I assume you weren’t upset at Star Wars because they never explained how a hyperdrive works? Star Wars wasn’t based around the mystery of how the hyperdrive works. > [@Lobohan](#): > > In any case, you’re entitled to your opinion, of course. Sorry they didn’t write the show you wanted to watch? They didn’t write a show I would consider to be “good.” They did, however, write one of the most unintentionally hilarious shows I’ve seen in a long time, and you know what, I almost prefer it that way. There’s been some hilarious article/videos that wouldn’t have been possible were the show actually competent, and it’s actually pretty fun watching Lost with a bunch of friends ragging on it, Mystery Science Theater style. > [@Lobohan](#): > > I understand that you probably wanted something more. I just don’t care. 😃 Then why do you keep responding? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/32 "2010-05-27T22:33:58Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Star Wars wasn’t based around the mystery of how the hyperdrive works. Now you might want to ask yourself what Lost is about. 😃 > [@](#): > > They didn’t write a show I would consider to be “good.” They did, however, write one of the most unintentionally hilarious shows I’ve seen in a long time, and you know what, I almost prefer it that way. There’s been some hilarious article/videos that wouldn’t have been possible were the show actually competent, and it’s actually pretty fun watching Lost with a bunch of friends ragging on it, Mystery Science Theater style. And I’m sure that in trailer parks across the country people are wiping their asses with Shakespeare. That you don’t appreciate it is clear. 😃 > [@](#): > > Then why do you keep responding? I guess when people malign intelligent work it merits a response. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/33 "2010-05-27T22:55:34Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Star Wars wasn’t based around the mystery of how the hyperdrive works. Star Wars not only knew what it was from the beginning, it was upfront about it. Neither is true of Lost. > [@Lobohan](#): > > And I’m sure that in trailer parks across the country people are wiping their asses with Shakespeare. That you don’t appreciate it is clear. Did you seriously just compare Lost to Shakespeare? :eek: 😕 And you’re quite right that I don’t “appreciate” work that I don’t respect. > [@Lobohan](#): > > I guess when people malign intelligent work it merits a response. But if you “didn’t care,” it shouldn’t have any impact on you… ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/34 "2010-05-27T23:00:08Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Star Wars not only knew what it was from the beginning, it was upfront about it. Neither is true of Lost. > > Did you seriously just compare Lost to Shakespeare? :eek: 😕 > > And you’re quite right that I don’t “appreciate” work that I don’t respect. > > But if you “didn’t care,” it shouldn’t have any impact on you… I don’t care that you don’t like it. But I do care that one of the thousands of Lurker Nerds™ on the Dope might decide to miss some damn fine television because of your Nerd Rage™. I consider it a civic responsibility. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![fubbleskag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fubbleskag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fubbleskag)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/35 "2010-05-27T23:13:33Z")
[This](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt4aO8bCYd4) is how Lost \*should \*have ended. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/36 "2010-05-28T00:09:24Z")
Jack comes out of the cave and tells Ben and Hurley, “The only thing real in this world is the island.” and the island is seen floating in darkness. The guys look at each other as WTF?! Jack then says, “The only person that is real is the Protector of the Light.” Hurley and Ben vanish. Close up on Jack’s eye. “Let there be light.” ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/37 "2010-05-28T02:16:04Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > From what I hear, the only right ending would have been Jacob and Esau standing there in front of the Losties, explaining everything that ever happened in exhaustive detail, making sure every fan question is answered. It would takes about a day and be utterly unwatchable. But that one fan that NEEDS to know “what about Walt?” would be happy for the 2 minutes it took to answer his question. He’d complain bitterly about the \*other \*23 hours and 58 minutes of wasted time, however. 😛 This is kinda ridiculous. The writers spent six years elaborately constructing an inescapable corner, and then painted themselves into it. The audience didn’t construct the corner, and they didn’t do the painting. Don’t want people to complain when you’ve painted yourself into a corner? Stay away from corners while you’re painting. And CERTAINLY don’t go out of your way to construct a jillion corners, from polar bears and lost loves and mystical tweeners. But if you do, don’t blame the audience when you find yourself trapped without enough time to write yourself a trap door or airduct to escape through. As I’ve said in other threads, the only way I can respect the writers of LOST is if they did that on purpose: if the series was a 6-year experiment in audience gullibility. Cuz otherwise, if the writers weren’t in on the hoax, then they’re just not very good writers. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/38 "2010-05-28T03:00:55Z")
Dear Lord, the day has come, Hell has frozen over: I totally agree with lissener. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/39 "2010-05-28T07:18:44Z")
I think they got it about right, but it still lacked a little something, so … Locke is coming round after the operation in Sideways LA. He opens his eyes, looks around and smiles. He catches sight of Jack coming towards him. The smile becomes broader. Gradually we become uneasy. There’s something about that smile. “Good to see you again, Jack”, says the MIB. Yep, the MIB has a soul too and he’s decided to join his good buddies in limbo and have a little fun with them. Penis ensues. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740/40 "2010-05-28T07:29:40Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > From what I hear, the only right ending would have been Jacob and Esau standing there in front of the Losties If he’s anything he’s Samuel now 😉 But no, for several reasons: 1. It’s not like the writer’s didn’t have plenty of time. They knew exactly how long the show would last. They even demonstrated the power to make it last longer if needed with an extra episode and then an extra half hour. If they knew they didn’t want to cover that stuff in the finale, they could’ve easily peppered it throughout the last season or two. 2. They went _out of their way_ not to answer certain mysteries. I mean, MIB’s name would’ve been revealed merely by change one single word of dialogue into a different word. And the time travelling out rigger canoe? There were like 50 scenes in the outrigger, any of which could have included a 30 second time flash of the other canoe suddenly appearing and then disappearing. 3. It doesn’t take that long to clear up things. When MIB revealed he was Christian in the cabin and leading Jack to water, Hurley and Ben could’ve asked if it was him making the ruckus in the cabin and he could’ve answered yes. There was no reason not to have Walt appear, he isn’t much older than his character anymore, since the show advanced three years over the course of one episode. Etc. 4. They managed to get in some answers to things a lot of people didn’t care about, like the whispers, Shannon’s inhaler, and room 23. 5. If they did do it in the finale, they already have a built in mechanism: the flashback. Between the island and flash-sideways they could have easily thrown in little flashbacks to the islands history. There’s not even that much that needs to be explained. Bad choices and bad writing are the only reasons. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-lost-have-ended/540740.md?page=3)