LOST: the Series Finale Review

We hung in there for six seasons of seat gripping suspense. We discussed theories, pondered outcomes and hunted for the so-called "Easter eggs" in each show. It has finally come to an end, but did we all get what we wanted from it? I'm not so sure. Lost is famous for answering one question and posing four more in the process. With the number of questions that were raised, I had already set myself up for disappointment in never really knowing the answer to every one of them.

First, I do have to say that I did thoroughly enjoy the final episode. While still puzzled about what really happened in the end, I have decided to publish my own personal opinion, possibly my wish for what it was all about, in hopes of receiving some extensive feedback. What I am about to explain is my interpretation of what I immediately thought at the close of the show. And while my mind is still wrapping itself around the final scenes, I will leave out the ideas that have evolved in the following hours since.

The sideways flashes seem to gather as a time after death when all of the people so closely involved on the island have crossed paths until they finally remember what happened in their lives and that they are now dead. This I can deal with. However, this poses many questions about the time on the island. Did they all die in the crash and the island was a middle ground? This theory I cannot accept as the writers and producers insisted for six years that the cast is not dead and this is not purgatory. In light of their denials, I would like to pose the following theory:

All of the people that were brought to the island were at some type of crossroads in their lives whether personally, physically, spiritually, etc. The island holds a "good vs. evil" battle for these people and decides their fate in the afterlife based on their choices here on the island as opposed to the outside world. And as they die, whether it be on the island, or anywhere or anytime in the world, they would all eventually meet up again. Jack's father had said something to him during their meeting at the coffin regarding these people being part of his life and him being a part of theirs. Also, he stated some died before and others long after he did. In light of his statements, I would venture to agree that the island is definitely not purgatory and that the time spent in the sideways flashes is what we can refer to as purgatory. Sure, everyone did die....eventually.

We don't know when the side flashes take place or for how long. In my opinion, those flashes begin for each person after they each died, whenever that may have happened for each individual. They all began to cross paths once all of them had died. Then moved on to the afterlife together.

All in all, I'm surprisingly enjoying the fact that I am still left a bit puzzled. Always keep them wanting more, I guess.

I'm not sure that this came out in print the way I see it in my head, but I want to know what you think. Do you agree? Do you have a completely different theory? Is there one question that you didn't get the answer to that you are yearning to know about?