Everything ends eventually, and 'Lost' is no exception.

Fans should be grateful. Instead of premature cancellation, or a long slow descent into incomprehensibility, the creative forces behind ABC's signature fantasy series gave the show an official end-date.

This allowed themselves time to end their epic tale of castaways and mystical geography in a satisfying fashion. That's small comfort, though, when compared to the knowledge that, after May 23, the weekly adventures of Jack, Sawyer, Locke, and all the rest will be over forever.

Knowing the end is coming means a chance to prepare. Here's a guide to the steps Losties can expect to face in the coming weeks and months, and some suggestions for getting through the process.


1. Denial: "Don't tell me what I can't do!"
Signs: Calling TiVo technical support to find out why the schedule lists no new 'Lost' episodes after May 23; leaving the TV on ABC at all times, "just in case;" posting long arguments online about how this season's sideways universe is going to get its own series this fall called 'Found;' sticking one's fingers in one's ears and saying "lalalalala" whenever anyone says "series" and "finale" in the same sentence.

Coping mechanism: While 'Lost's' sixth season won't be out on DVD or Blu-ray for some time, the previous five seasons have all been released in both formats. That's roughly 3,520 minutes to pore over, not to mention supplementary material. The truly devoted can compare high-def and standard image qualities, because being in love means you don't have to make sense.

2. Anger: "Son of a bitch."
Signs: Leaving rants on Michael Emerson's voice mail because somehow this is all his fault; watching 'Heroes,' then telling everyone, "See, a real show doesn't know when to quit;" refusing to acknowledge Hawaii as a "proper" state.

Coping mechanism: Consume other tales about characters in similar situations who didn't fare nearly as well as the Oceanic Six. Stephen King's short story 'Survivor Type,' from the collection 'Skeleton Crew,' features a surgeon forced to cannibalize himself to survive. In 'The Blue Lagoon,' two cousins wind up having sex with each other. And there's always William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies.' You can pretend Jack is Piggy!

3. Bargaining: "What about me?"
Signs: Watching episodes as they air without fast-forwarding through commercial breaks to prove brand loyalty; watching 'V,' because somebody has to; changing your pin number to "4 8 15 16 23 42," in case Damon Lindelof needs some walking around money.

Coping mechanism: If you can't extend your experiences with these characters, why not settle for the next best thing and check out some of their off-island performances. There's 'Vantage Point' and 'Speed Racer,' to see how Matthew Fox performs when he isn't trying to resolve his daddy issues. Terry O'Quinn demonstrates he doesn't have to be possessed by an ancient force of unknowable power to be terrifying in 1987's 'The Stepfather' and Emilie de Ravin made a very pretty corpse in 'Brick.' Oh, and Dominic Monaghan was in 'Lord of the Rings,' which is probably some kind of boxing drama.

4. Depression: "We're all gonna die."
Signs: No longer bothering to argue with people who say, "Oh, they were just making it up the whole time."; watching 'V,' because somebody has to; not watching the "Next week on Lost" promos anymore because it'll all be over soon enough; pioneering the "stop thinking too much about a damn TV show" explanation for the mystery of Jacob.

Coping mechanism: Check out 'The Stand: Complete And Uncut' by Stephen King. The show's writers have listed it as a major influence, and it's all about society breaking down, and an evil man who tempts the weak into turning their back on the forces of good and progress. It's a great book that gets a lot of mileage out of the end of the world, and it's an excellent place to lose the blues.

5. Acceptance: "We just get the hell off this Island."
Signs: You've stopped crying every time you hear a plane take off; you no longer take it personally when Evangeline Lilly won't return your calls; you called off the walkabout/boar hunting expedition to Australia.

Coping mechanisms: Go for a walk. Enjoy the sunshine. And when you get home, change the batteries in the remote. It's a whole new world of genre television out there. Why not go exploring?



How are you coping with the end of 'Lost'?