For any ‘Lost‘ fans out there who still find themselves explaining/ defending the series and the finale to people who just didn’t “get it,” or thought the show failed because it did not “answer all the questions,” sometimes it is very nice just to hear a member of the cast or crew of the series just lay it all out there and join the discussion on our side (yes, as frequent readers know, I am a AVID ‘Lost’ apologist), especially if it is someone we were unaware felt so strongly about the series, even after 8 years. Apparently, series star Evangeline Lily is just such a person (of course she played Kate Austen), and she recently made an impassioned and eloquent speech about the series and its ending.
Here’s Evangeline Lily’s amazing speech on the topic of the ‘Lost’ finale from the Dragon Con expo:
“Well, I’m going to have to go straight to the finale. Vote of confidence, who liked the finale? [The room broke out into cheers] Who did not like the finale? [about the same amount of cheers] About 50/50. So, for those of who you didn’t like it; you loved our show, because at the end of every week, we would leave you with an impossible and pressing mystery. It would force you to the water cooler, or the dinner table, asking each other the most difficult questions. Usually philosophical questions. Sometimes questions that touched on God or religion and reality, and what it means to be human.
And then, on the finale, you sat waiting with baited breath, thinking ‘they’re gonna give us the answer.’ Well, that’s what religions do. So if you want the answer to the great big question of life, go to church, go to God, find the answer, but art…art is supposed to, every time without fail, turn the question back on you, and asks you to look at what you’re seeing, listen to what you’re hearing, experience it, and then look at it in the mirror of your soul, and figure out what it means to you.
And so there is no one interpretation of the finale of LOST. For as many people that are in this room, there are that many true, real, endings for LOST.
Because it’s just a reflection of who you are, and it’s the ultimate question being posed to you, not the ultimate answer being handed to you.”
I love how she talks about how ‘Lost’ is art, and throws it back at the audience, and reminds them that good art does NOT answer all of your questions, but leaves you thinking and does not just hand you everything on a silver platter. I loved everything she said here, and I wish more people could come around on ‘Lost’ instead of just jumping on the “I hate the ‘Lost’ ending” bandwagon without coming to their own conclusions on the matter.
What are your thoughts on the ‘Lost’ ending and the whole debate? Do you still think they blew it? Or are you willing to give the show another chance after all these years and seeing all these strong opinions? Feel feel to share your experience in the comments below!
