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Six Keys to Enjoying the Final Season of 'Lost'
by Allison Waldman, posted Feb 1st 2010 4:09PM
There's something reassuring about knowing that the end is near. Not the end of life, but the end of a long trip or the last pages of a book. Television viewers are no different. The very idea that the upcoming return of 'Lost' -- it premieres Tuesday at 8 p.m. (ET) -- will be the beginning of the end, the build up to the grande finale is both a joyful and bittersweet experience.
To make sure it's more of the former and less of the latter, here's a few keys that will ensure you will savor the return of 'Lost' so that it will be good to the last drop.
1. Ignore online spoilers and explanations. Chances are you have been inundated with articles and columns and blogs about 'Lost.' It's been hard to avoid them. And there's also been a lot of coverage on entertainment shows and news broadcasts. The 101 Channel on DirecTV has been showing primers to teach viewers about every season of the show and each character. YouTube is brimming with 'Lost' analyses. Therefore, lest you get completely gorged on 'Lost' mythology and conjecture, ignore it all. If you have read or seen some, put it out of your mind. Pretend you didn't see/read it.
2. Take Matthew Fox's advice. In a recent interview, the 'Lost' star -- who knows how the show will end -- was quizzed relentlessly by the interviewer, but ultimately said nothing specific. However, there was one excellent quote: "When you have a show that makes people think as much as 'Lost,' where you've made them hypothesize about what it all means and where it's all going on a plot level; ultimately you're going to disappoint them because they're going to want it to end a certain way, and it's going to end its own way. There are going to be people out there who've written it in their minds." Therefore, try not to be disappointed no matter what happens.3. Do not multitask. These days most people don't just take a sit and watch a television show. There's laundry to fold, bills to pay, school lunches to prepare for the next morning... Yes, yes, we are busy people. However, to get the full enjoyment of 'Lost,' you have to pay attention. It's more than just the looks between Kate and Jack and Sawyer, it's more than the numbers on the hatch or the giant statues with four toes. To really get the most out of 'Lost,' give each hour your full attention. Your taxes can wait for the weekend.
4. Open your mind. If watching 'Lost' seasons one to five has taught viewers anything it's that nothing is off the table. Anything is possible. There can be polar bears on a tropical island. Time travel is doable. Falling from a building and being paralyzed for life may be a temporary situation. In other words, open your mind to the fact that Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, the creators of the show, are making a show that's a melange of science fiction, fantasy, horror, suspense and -- yes -- drama. Anything goes.
5. Lower expectations. Remember how some people loved the end of 'The Sopranos' and some people despised it? Be prepared for a similar reaction to the 'Lost' finale. No series wrap up is perfect (except maybe the end of 'Newhart' or 'St. Elsewhere'). If you have expectations that every question you ever had will be answered and that when it's all over, you'll sigh with satisfaction... think again. However, if you accept the fact that the ending is the one the writers have chosen and you're along for the ride, you'll be a lot happier in the long run.
6. Immerse yourself in the experience. There are
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