Lost 5.23.10 (“The End”)

May 28, 2010 in TV | No comments

Dear Jack,

No, I’m not dead, even though I haven’t written any letters in months. I’ve discovered a few things about myself, namely that my internet blogging time and energy occupies the same space as my work time and energy. Lately, I’ve had to use more of that space for work (which has been really good, thanks), and so no letters. I’ve also discovered that writing semi-snarky posts about my favorite TV show made me enjoy it a little less — like when I was watching it I was always thinking about what to write about it, rather than just watching it and enjoying it. You know what I mean? But I couldn’t let the end of the show pass without writing one more thing.

So, even though I am not dead, you are. That makes me sad, but was also very appropriate. But I’ll get to all that in a bit.

There are lots of people out there in internet-land who are complaining about the show not answering all the mysteries. They feel a bit (sometimes A LOT) disappointed with the show’s ending because of the lack of concrete answers. There’s more than a kernel of truth to that disappointment. Mysteries clearly were important to the show. They drove the plot forward. They exposed character flaws, strengths, and motivations. They kept us coming back so we’d see what happens next. They kept us talking about the show at work. They STILL keep us talking about the show even though it’s over. They are important.

I’m the kind of person that’s pretty comfortable with art remaining mysterious — who really wants to know what the Mona Lisa is slyly smiling at, anyway? I am also the kind of person who ascribes best intentions to artists and respects what they’ve given me, even if it’s not exactly what I’d want. To paraphrase Neil Gaiman: “George R.R. Martin is not my bitch.”

If you ask me, and I know you’re not, but if you ask me what I think would have made the show a little better for me (and, I think, a lot better for those people who are a lot more upset about the end than I am), I’ll tell you — one more episode.

This episode isn’t the finale or even part of it. It would have come earlier in season 6, maybe even at the beginning of the season, or maybe even earlier in season 5. The focus of the episode would have been answering the question of how much Jacob and the MIB had to do with all the other stuff that happened on the Island. It would have been similar to the episode where we see Jacob touching all the Candidates at key points in their lives. Scenes would have included Jacob bringing Dogen to the Island and telling him what he needed to do at the Temple, MIB/Jacob manipulating Dharma (either on or off the Island), something about the MIB and the cabin, some Dharma guy working with the Numbers at Jacobs prompting, the MIB talking to Whidmore as he’s about to get kicked off the Island, and maybe even Jacob talking to big Walt (and being very deliberate about NOT touching him) saying something like “I’m sorry I got you into this mess. You ARE special, but you didn’t need to be involved because you’re too young” — sort of like how Kate’s name was crossed off. That sounds very clunky, I know, but I am sure they could have found an artful way to take care of it. It wouldn’t have explicitly answered very much; Jacob doesn’t need to turn to the camera and say what the numbers are. But a little more insight into how their struggle has manifested itself over centuries would have raised the stakes a bit and given a few more answers, because fundamentally their struggle over the Island (whether to leave it, protect it, or destroy it) became the struggle that you and the rest of the castaways became embroiled in. Eventually, it became your struggle, and you sacrificed yourself for it.

That being said, I loved the end of the show, all of it. I liked your flying punch in the rain! I liked that Kate (who I grew to like again) saved you and shot Locke. “I saved a bullet for you!” Nice! I loved the little things — the shot of you and Locke looking down the waterfall, Mile’s line about duct tape, Richard’s gray hair, Hurley’s Star Wars references. I was very happy that Hurley became the new guardian of the Island and that Ben found some redemption by helping him. That was a nice bit of symmetry with Ben inadvertently helping the MIB for all those years and now he gets to help the real guardian. I love Ben!

I also liked the resolution to the flash-sideways timeline. I have no sympathy for the criticism that it made that entire part of the season worthless. The point of all that, just as I speculated the point of the Island was in the first place, was so people could work out what they needed to work out before Moving On. I grew to really be invested in these characters over the years and this provided a nice was to resolve that investment. It certainly made sense within the narrative of the show, as redemption was a theme we saw again and again (as was letting go). Perfect, I think, and at times very poignant. I got more than a little misty eyed at the Sawyer/Juliet scene.

I also appreciated the capstone to your character. You started off as a leader and a man who saved people and got things done. That eventually gave way to an almost obsessive drive to Save Everyone, even though they didn’t want saving or your methods proved harmful. Rose and Bernard were a nice commentary on this flawed aspect of your personality. Then, you left the Island, realized your mistake, drank a lot, came back, and was a passive workman for Dharma for a little while. It wasn’t until your rekindled obsession to Save Everyone directly got Juliet killed (and, admit it, you kinda liked her) you began to realize what you were doing was really hurting other people. At the end, you did what needed to be done, including letting go by handing off the mantle to Hurley. You did what you were good at, then let Hurley do what he is good at — taking care of people.

And, of course, they show ended the only way it could have, as it began. Your friends finally did get to leave the Island — free and clear. Vincent came to give you company. And we ended as we started, with that nice shot of your eye, closing in the end as it at opened at the beginning. I was sad to see you go.

I hope you tell all the folks who made the show how much I enjoyed it. I really think it was artful television.

Love,

me

Lost — 3.3.10 (“Sundown”)

March 3, 2010 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

Dear Sayid,

OMGYOUKILLEDALLTHOSEPEOPLETHATSCRAZYBUTYOUKICKSOMUCHBUTTANDRHOTSORUEVILNOW?

Um, yeah. So, I hope you get this letter and all, but you don’t have to send me one back. You’re kinda scary now. And not it a brooding anti-hero kinda way.

We’ve known you were bad ass for a long time now. You and Keamy had that great fight two seasons ago. Now you and samurai Dogen have another one. But I’ve always held out hope that you were trying to use your powers for good. Even though we’ve had some setbacks, I kept telling myself you were either forced into it or at least looking out for the greater good — like that time you shot 10 year old Ben. That wasn’t very good, but at least I could understand why. Now, though, you don’t seem good AT ALL anymore. You made that deal with Locke, drowned Dogen (ah, poetic justice), cut Lennon up, and directly led to everyone in the Temple getting killed. At least all those who didn’t join up with Locke’s Army of Darkness. That’s all, officially, Not Cool. I can’t say I blame you that much, though. That Dogen guy drowned you, tortured you, then lied to you in the hopes that Locke would kill you. I know your principle character arc has been about struggling with your nature as a killer and it looks like you’ve figured all that out. It’s too late for you, just like you told Ben:

“There’s still time to escape.”
“Not for me.”

Creepy and sad all at the same time.

But, wait a minute. Seeing you in action this episode made me really think about the Others, Jacob, and that whole group. They don’t seem all that nice, either. There was the whole torture thing (sure, they were “testing” you, but maybe some multiple choice questions would have been better:

2. When Locke says hello, you _______

A. Say “what’s up”
B. Reply “I’m not that man anymore”
C. Stab him in the chest with a ceremonial dagger
D. Pledge to join his army of darkness

The Others, who presumably were following Jacob the whole time, have also kidnapped kids, killed Losties, tortured Claire, done God knows what to polar bears, and (via Ben) wiped out most of the Dharma initiative with poison gas. All of that stuff is Not Cool. So if they were doing it for Jacob, then Jacob isn’t exactly Santa Clause, either. Which means that you aren’t really evil after all. That’s good, because you’re too hot to be evil.

I’m beginning to hope Hurley just tells Jacob and Locke to piss off.

Love,

me

Lost — 2.23.10 (“Lighthouse”)

February 25, 2010 in Uncategorized | No comments

Dear Jack,

Sorry this is a day late, but things have been super busy around here. You seem busy, too — running around LA a lot, picking up your son from school, trying to find your dad’s will. That’s a lot going on! Of course, you were also just sitting at the Temple staring at a pool of water, so maybe you’re not that busy. This sideways timeline stuff is confusing. It looks like it’s confusing for you, too. You didn’t remember your appendectomy. And, no offense, but that’s a horrible scar. It looks like someone did that surgery in the jungle or something.

Where to begin, man? I loved this episode! You seem like a stand-up guy in LA. You’re not drinking, which is good. You have a son! Not sure when that happened, but he seems like a good kid. Awesome on the piano, rockin’ the Chopin, beating out samurai guy’s son for the conservatory spot. Hey, when you said ” I didn’t even know he played” was that, like “I forgotten my son played the piano because my consciousness is stretched between two alternate timelines” or more like “I didn’t know he still played because he quit when he was little because I was a crappy, pressure inducing father.” Just wondering. You never know when something is a character moment or a timeline clue. I think it’s the later, because you tried to reconcile with David after the audition and told him how crappy your own father was. Looks like you two are going to be okay! Awesome! Let me know what David wants for his birthday and I’ll send him something in the mail. Maybe a DriveShaft t-shirt.

Speaking of your dad, I can’t be the only one who has noticed the only real constant between the two timelines is that his body is missing in both of them.

I liked the return to the caves and your confession to Hurley. You two did a lot of talking in this episode, which was cool. You seem to be moving on. You realize that you and Kate are just not going to work. “Holy random encounter in the jungle” Batman! Did we really need to have you bump into Kate out there? I guess it did set up the whole “I’m sorry to wreck your game” line, which was funny.

And the Lighthouse is even more awesome than the four-toed statue! Mirrors that see through time and space! Names and numbers at different compass points! Awesome! You smashing the mirrors, not so awesome. But Jacob knew you were going to do that anyway, so I guess it all works out. He’s crafty, that Jacob. Even if he’s all Obi-Wan Kenobi and stuff, now (another great Hurley line).

One last thing. Your sister is crazy. Not just “I’m kinda upset I got stranded on an Island and lost my baby” crazy, but full-on Jack Torrance, “HERE’S JOHNNY!” kinda crazy. Seriously. She totally buried her axe in that guy’s chest! “Are you my friend, Jin?!” Yikes! She’s been seduced by the Dark Side, for sure. Now it looks like she’s headed to the Temple to kill everyone, which is just what Smokey Locke has planned. And Jin is going to help her so that Claire doesn’t kill Kate. Jin, you may want to rethink that one, pal.

Anyway, it looks like you are “special” and “you’ve got what it takes”, probably to be the new Jacob. The Island is supposed to fix you, after all.

Love,

me

P.S. Tell Hurley how awesome he is. He gets the best lines. “Because, I, uh, like Temples and all that Indiana Jones stuff.” He had to write the mystical instructions on his arm with a pen! The only way that would have been better is if they’d have worked in “Klatuu, Barada, Nikto” somehow. Although then I may have exploded from Geek Joy.

50 in 2010 — Book 8 (All Star Superman vol. 1)

February 23, 2010 in Books, Comics | No comments

In my comic book studded youth, I was a Batman guy. I am not quite sure why. Likely, it was because of his detective skill. He was Sherlock Holmes with martial arts and a utility belt. As I grew into high school, I identified with the Dark Knight aspect. He was scary and angry and angst-ridden and outside the system. I didn’t have much use for Superman; he was a goody-two-shoes who had the power to do anything he wanted. I LOVED how Batman gave it to Supes in The Dark Knight Returns — kryptonite arrow and powersuit notwithstanding.

Now that I am older, I appreciate Superman a lot more. He’s fundamentally an alien trying to fit in, forced to be someone he’s not to have some semblance of normalcy. I also appreciate how hard it must be to write Superman. How can you create interesting stories for a guy who is almost all-powerful? Thus, I picked up All Star Superman. I had heard good things.

Those good things are, IMHO, a little misplaced. I liked All Star Superman, but I had hoped to like it more. I enjoyed the character of Superman here very much. The writer, Grant Morrison, saddles him with an interesting conceit: What does the Man of Steel do when he knows he’s going to die? I liked that and like Quietly’s art. What kept me from really liking the whole book, however, was the disjointed nature of the stories. I constantly felt like I was missing something, like something had been explained back on page 6 panel 4 and I’d missed it. But it’s not really on page 6. It’s not even in issue #2. It’s either somewhere back in DC continuity or it’s simply not there. Is Dr. Quintium and P.R.O.J.E.C.T. Morrison’s invention or an old Superman character reimagined? I will confess my overall ignorance of DC continuity, but Morrison could have thrown me a bone somewhere.

So, in short, I liked All Star Superman Volume 1, but felt a little lost, especially when all those Supermen from the future started to show up.

Lost — 2.16.10 (“The Substitute”)

February 18, 2010 in TV | 3 comments

Dear Smokey Locke.

So, um, you’re kinda scary. And not in a mysterious, smoldering kinda way. More in a “I’m going to cause the apocalypse” kinda way. You want off the Island? Why do I think that’s not the best idea for anyone but you?

First we get the “Smokey-cam” point of view shot, which was very Sam Rami-ish and kinda cool. I guess you don’t know who Sam Rami is, since you’ve been on the Island for a long time. Too bad, because he makes some cool movies. Anyway, then you’re talking with Richard about Locke being a candidate. Candidate for what? Not prom king, I guess. To replace Jacob? Like all those other names with numbers? Why did Jacob need a replacement? Is he getting laid off? Do Immortals get unemployment?

So Richard bails on you (he really looked scared!) and you go find Sawyer. Ah, Sawyer. Can he get any more awesome? Drinking whiskey. Listening to the Stooges. Reading Steinbeck. Just. . .awesome. Plus he can see the boy in the woods! Who is that?! He knows about The Rules. You look kinda afraid of him. Plus you dropped the old Locke “Don’t tell me!” line. Maybe it’s New Jacob. Or Aaron!

Anyway, I’m pretty convinced you’re evil and kinda want Sawyer to shoot you in the head. But don’t hold that against me.

Love,

me

Lost 2.17.10 — “The Substitute”

February 17, 2010 in TV | No comments

Dear John,

Glad to hear things are looking up for you. When you sent me that email saying you had been fired, I was worried. Not to rub it in, but I told you blowing off that conference to go on Walkabout was a bad idea. Did that tall, skinny black guy still tell you to do that? That guy’s weird.

I know you tend to get in the dumps about being in the wheelchair — you still haven’t told me how that happened, by the way. I head some rumor your dad did it, but since you’re still inviting him to your wedding, that can’t be true. Why would you invite the guy that tossed you out a window to your wedding?

But anyway, things seem to be okay now. Helen is super cool and obviously loves you. That Hugo guy seems awfully nice, too. I’m not so sure about this Ben guy, though. I mean, European History is cool and all, but he still creeps me out a little. I wouldn’t trust him.

Love,

me

(It’s a two parter! Letter 2 tomorrow!)

50 In 2010 — Book 7 (A Study In Scarlett)

February 15, 2010 in Books | 2 comments

Seeing Sherlock Holmes during the Christmas Holidays kindled a desire to reread some of the stories. I really can’t remember the last time I actually sat down and read a Holmes story – college, at the latest. I have the Complete Sherlock Holmes in two volumes, but I also have some random copy of A Study in Scarlett. That’s the one I grabbed off the shelf and stuck my nose into for a few days.

For the Holmes novice, A Study is the first Holmes story and one of two novels. It’s still relatively short; my copy came in at about 150 pages. The novel gives us the first meeting of Holmes and Watson, their becoming roomates, and Watson’s introduction to the peculiar nature of Holmes’ talent and personality. There’s murder, of course, which Holmes solves in in about two days. Study is also about 30% flashback, as we get the entire backstory of the murderer which, as the novel says “involves Mormonism and revenge”. What’s not to like?

Reading this novel made me appreciate the film I saw even more. There are lots of tiny things in the movie that are taken from the novel. My favorite was the dog. There’s a very brief part in the book when Holmes and Watson are discussing if they are going to fit as roommates. Watson says he has a bulldog pup and asks if that will be a problem. Holmes says no, so Watson and the dog take up residence at 221B Baker Street. That dog shows up several time in the film, but full grown and often the subject of Holmes’ pharmacological testing!

Then there’s Holmes himself, who is a sort of likable jerk. He’s likeable because he’s interesting. He knows a lot about a lot of things (Watson has a list in the novel) and, let’s be honest, a roommate who solves crime is pretty cool. But he’s also extraordinarily arrogant, reckless, and moody. His opinion of himself is only exceeded by his talent for what he does. I’m not sure what it says about me that I held Holmes as a sort of hero in my youth, given my realization that he’s not a very nice person. But I did enjoy revisiting Baker Street for book 7.

Gaming Friday — Beer and Pretzels

February 12, 2010 in Gaming, Public Introspection | 3 comments

I’m supposed to be gaming right now, but Sarah had a going away party for a friend and we couldn’t get a sitter, so I was on kid duty. I’m bummed because the game is fun, but as I was kissing my wife goodbye and getting our daughter ready for bed, I wondered if I was bummed enough.

I know that sounds silly, neurotic even. What I mean is I wonder if I am becoming a “beer and pretzels” sort of gamer. According to Robin Laws, this is the guy who games because it’s fun, but also because he doesn’t have other stuff to do. Gaming is a diversion that’s done primarily as a social activity. If the game doesn’t happen (or if something better comes along) it’s not a big deal.

I’m not there yet. Gaming is important to me. I enjoy the folks I game with, but the game itself is important just as much as the social aspect. I like the combat and the unfolding story. But I am certainly not as active a gamer as I once was. Despite my DM’s best efforts, I don’t really participate outside of the regular Fridays (on the wiki and such). Time is certainly a factor, but I think a lot of it has to do with work. I’ve come to realize that the mental energy that powers my writing and teaching is the same as (or very similar to) the juice that powers my gaming. It’s no accident that my gaming peaks are in the summer when my work load is much lighter. It’s not like I cut grass for a living, which would require a different sort of energy, leaving plenty of the creative juice for gaming.

Do other folks feel like this? Or am I just weird?

Lost 2.9.10 — “What Kate Does”

February 10, 2010 in TV | 1 comment

Dear Kate,

This is the Last Straw. I am so over you. You and I are through, get it? No more! This is like that time my friends Rick, Rob, and Carl all wanted to go out to eat. We were all pretty set on going to PF Changs, but Rob kept hemming and hawing, talking about how they were too expensive and not authentic enough and on and on. We kept trying to be nice and asking him where he wanted to go, but he wasn’t happy with anything. We ended up having to get those burritos from 7-11 and regretted it for days; we should have just told Rob to suck it and gone to PF Changs.

(You are Rob, by the way, in case you didn’t get it).

Anyway, I thought this was going to be a better episode for you. In the flash sideways, you are pretty awesome. You stole a cab, almost ran over Arzt, and helped Claire (but where did you get the $200 to pay that mechanic guy?). It was weird to see Ethan at the hospital, but it kinda makes sense, since he was the one who was going to take Aaron on the Island anyway. It seems you/Claire/Aaron have some sort of mystical cross time connection. I was all right with all that stuff. Kate on the run is okay.

But Kate on the run to Sawyer is just OLD. “I can be very persuasive.” Seriously? How? By pouting some more. It’s this that made me just give up. Actually, it’s one specific moment. You know what moment I’m talking about. It’s the look on your face as you creep down the hall after you’ve seen Sawyer crying over Juliet in the bedroom. It’s the “well, crap. I guess he is really upset and really did love her and probably doesn’t care that much about me anymore.” It’s a look of such utter self-centeredness (or, to be more precise, having one’s self-centeredness disconfirmed) that made me throw up my hands in frustration. Like the book says, Kate, he’s just not that into you, especially WHEN THE WOMAN HE WAS GOING TO PROPOSE TO DIED LIKE 12 HOURS AGO! What did you expect to happen?! And then the crying on the dock — ugh. Props to Sawyer, though, he looked really upset.

Oh, and you missed all the crazy stuff at the Temple. Sayid may be a zombie, but he got tortured first. Dogan is trying to kill him or something, but the poison has to be given by Jack. Jack took the poison, then threw it up and drank some tea. I have no idea what’s going on there. Is Sayid the smoke monster now? How can Smoky be Locke and Sayid? If not, what’s Sayid “infected” by? This needs to get resolved somehow, soon.

Oh, and in your moping about after Sawyer, you missed who you said you were looking for — Claire. She now looks suspiciously like a certain Frenchwoman, and I don’t mean just because she hasn’t showered. She’s a crack shot, sets traps, and now has Jin. And she’s “infected”. Whatever that means.

So, look, the only way you could possibly redeem yourself would be to do something incredibly awesome — like maybe fall down a mineshaft and set off a hydrogen bomb with your dying breath to save everyone else. Oh yeah. That’s already happened.

Love,

me

50 in 2010 — Book 6 (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

February 7, 2010 in Books | No comments

When our friends Rich and Laura were here (it was Rich who got me on this 50 books thing), I was grumbling that these Harry Potter books may not have been the best choice for the 50. “They are just so long!”, I said. Laura said that they read so quickly, but I replied “but 800 pages is 800 pages!” Laura was right. I plowed through Order of the Phoenix in a week, even while busy at work.

Spoilers below, if you haven’t read the book yet and are planning to.

This wasn’t my favorite of the series so far, but I’ll certainly cop to it being good. Harry is 15 now and every bit the teenager. No one understands him. He’s angry all the time. He gets a girlfriend, sorta. That could all have resulted in a very annoying Harry and a very lame book. Rowling handled it well, however, externalizing those emotions and making some of Harry’s isolation literal. Dumbledore doesn’t talk to him for most of the book. Harry has legitimate abusive authority to rebel against when Hogwarts gets taken over by a new Headmaster.

It was also interesting to see Harry loose some of his innocence. He learns new things about his parents and Sirius that aren’t entirely rosy. He comes to understand more about Snape. And he directly faces the death of someone close to him. I thought the later was handled well, too. Harry’s anger and sadness was palpable without being overwrought. I felt bad for him.

Plus, there was a very cool wizard battle at the end, the first really big battle so far. That was tense, cool, and fun to read.

All in all, I am loving the series and really liked Order of the Phoenix.

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