Life after ‘Lost’ an uncertain proposal

As those who know me well should be thoroughly aware, when I get amped up about something, I tend to develop a severe case of logorrhea (that is, diarrhea of the mouth). There is no cure once I’ve entered this state. I will inevitably give an earful to whoever is in range and willing to listen.

What normally represented a harmless quirk, however, became a threat to my physical well-being once a couple friends began watching “Lost” on DVD. As resident “Lost” aficionado (Ph.D.), I was naturally invited to join in now and again. Within the span of a few episodes, though, my tendency to inadvertently spoil crucial plot points led the uninitiated buds to establish a rather irksome rule called “Justin isn’t allowed to talk anymore.”

Naturally, with great relief I welcomed the advent of the sixth and final season of “Lost.” For once, I knew just as much as my companions and nothing more. I was once again granted the privilege of speech. At long last I am free to “get ‘Lost’,” as we refer to the narcotic euphoria one derives from the show’s viewing, to my heart’s content (though moderation is often best, lest one suffers the agonizing ordeal of a “Lost”-over).
The arrival of the final season has also led me to reflect on my experience following “Lost” from its outset. What began as a gritty, tension-laden human drama, more akin to “Lord of the Flies” than “Gilligan’s Island,” has undergone a remarkably fluid transformation into mind-bending sci-fi and, from there, epic high fantasy, all over the course of a mere half-decade and without shedding its character-driven roots. It is almost certainly the most innovative, well-crafted program on network television. The narrative concept of juxtaposing flashbacks with present events in order to construct a coherent whole is, to my knowledge, unprecedented in the form (certainly the flash-forward is a new one).

To prevent such stylistic acrobatics from confusing and/or alienating viewers, however, the show has been stocked with a plethora of well-rounded, fascinating and believably flawed characters. There’s bound to be somebody for everyone to relate to. For instance, if you find both Jack (the ostensible lead) and Locke to be insufferably pompous and egomaniacal in their own special ways, there’s always snarky, self-deprecating Sawyer or plucky, lovelorn Desmond to latch onto. Find Kate incredibly manipulative and narcissistic to the point that Evangeline Lilly somehow becomes unattractive? No worries, Juliet’s at least got equivalent physical assets plus a much less repellent personality to boot. Even when the story launches into flights of mind-molesting metaphysical fancy, the human factor is always set firmly into place, keeping the audience (somewhat) grounded.
Indeed, one could never accuse “Lost” of underestimating viewer intelligence. Books could be (and probably have been) written about the philosophical quandaries it raises. Issues of moral perspective are frequently brought into thought-provokingly murky territory. The more things progress, the greater my suspicion grows that there is no clear-cut “good” or “evil,” only differing points of view, perhaps equally justified or equally selfish.

If nothing else, this is without doubt one of the most richly allusive shows currently on the air. References run the gamut from Dostoevsky and Philip K. Dick to Patsy Cline, informing thematic context through the evocation of other works (we call that intertextuality, folks). I guess at the root of all this meandering is one rather unnerving question: do I believe in life after “Lost?” What will I have to look forward to if not Jin shouting, “Udders!” Jack making his ridiculous little pouty face, Sayid triangulating things or Michael trying to find his boy (“MAH BOI!”)? Oh sure, I can still catch Seinfeld reruns and, yeah, there’s always a few inebriated giggles to be had out of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” and its ilk, but television will almost certainly lose a certain pizazz in the absence of this monument to intelligent storytelling.

Speaking of which, the writers better not chalk it all up to aliens or something, because there will be an angry, violent mob with pitchforks, torches and flaming arrows. Just a tip.

Justin Levesque can be contacted at jlevesque@ksc.mailcruiser.com.