'Lost': 'Orientation: Ryan Station' talks the end of the show with special guest Noel Murray
As promised, here's Part 2 of our epic podcast with The A.V. Club's Noel Murray. To recap: after doing our commentary for "Across the Sea," myself, The Chicago Tribune's Maureen "Mo" Ryan, and Noel decided to do a quick 5-minute wrap-up. That five minutes somehow turned into forty, and things got very interesting.
At the heart of our conversation: the recent Darlton interview with Alan Sepinwall, and the response by James Poniewozik. But while the topic started there, we soon moved onto a host of topics centered around the end of "Lost." Don't worry: we don't tread into any spoilers. But even if you're not a regular listener to our podcasts, I think this is one that you should try. Why? Because ultimately, it's about you, dear readers. And no, that's not some lie to garner more hits for the podcast. Pinkie swear on that.
Hope you enjoy listening. The next time that I'll post to this site, it will be from Zap2it HQ in Los Angeles. I'm out there all week to file extra "Lost" entries, film an episode of "Instant Dharma," and if all goes well, develop some sort of eating disorder. Wish me luck!
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very nice podcast! after I watch the finale I won't even tell my friends what I think :D I'll just say it was interesting...I'll wait til it sinks in...but I really have a feeling that I'll love it ( I did like across the sea).
it was kinda shocking to me when I logged in online to find all the hate against Across the Sea especially that it got a lower score than "what kate does" over at Metacritic! but I do think eventually people will view this episode in a different way when all is said and done.
I'm going into the Lost finale like the end of a Thin Man movie: I've had a lot of fun and can take or leave a satisfying resolution to the mystery. Although, the "glowing cave" as an answer kinda felt like a Thin Man movie actively trying to solve the murder rather than merely speculating w/dry wit/martinis. But I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the finale since I heard Lindelof say that "Across the Sea" was an episode for people unsatisfied by "the cork" as an answer in "Ab Aeterno." Satisfied with "the cork" answer, I'm viewing "Across the Sea" as a simple family drama, while others can more actively seek answers. Hopefully, the glowing cave thing is just a concession to a certain answer-craving audience and won't resurface in coming episodes. To make another poor analogy, when Obama allowed more offshore drilling a month ago, it was a move to gain support from one group on a bill that would mostly satisfy another. Here's to hoping the finale goes (sigh)...green.
Fun podcast again though I think you guys need to get less sensitive microphones.
I disagree with you guys though about no other show being this ambitious on network tv. After the last half dozen episodes of Fringe, I'd say that show was as ambitious as Lost and in someways has out-Losted Lost this year.
ryan, i enjoyed this podcast but i think some people might consider what mo said at around 3:27 and then again at 4:12 as spoilers. i did. i respectfully ask: how did you not consider those spoilers?
your conversation made me think of that eternal question: what is the purpose of art? does an artist have a responsibility to the audience? do they need to follow their vision regardless of the audience? i'll just throw that out there
quite a bit of noise in the middle of the podcast at around the 23-24 minute part. what was mo up to?
as for the ending of lost: i will be brave!
in my opinion, ryan, you haven't missed much; i certainly have missed more than you; as always thanks for all you do for us lost fans
peace
Excellent give & take on the p-cast. My one criticism of Zap2It is the picture of children dressed up as skanks for a dance routine, posted below Ryan's blog. Sick stuff, that is.
11:47 The Midichlorian Light, isn't supposed to be destroyed, but released for the betterment of mankind, especially in the Epiverse.
I don't know why there's an obsession with the MIB's name. Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" has two main characters just known as The Man and The Boy, and that book is one of the greatest pieces of modern literature. I really don't see why it's such a big deal?
I just wanted to build on what Splinter brought-up above: An artist creates art as he/she has the vision. A painter has an audience, though he continues to paint his vision regardless of the feedback because it is his art. Throughout history artists in all mediums have painted, sculpted, written and filmed their ideas to what they decided was the finished product. The next step is to just put it out there & at that point the artist is done. The audience is meant to experience the artwork through their personal interpretation. Some may like it, some may be indifferent and -oh, horrors- some may hate it. Nonetheless, it is what it is. Respect the artist's creation. I don't feel the artist has any responsibility to the audience. If artwork were tailored to the public's expectations it would be affected and cease to be the fully creative vision of the artist. If the writers were so pleased with the 6th season, then that is because it has fulfilled their creative expectations...that is the artist's expectations. Let go and enjoy Darlton's creation. ...or don't enjoy; the point is, it's your choice to like it, to watch in the first place
& it's your reaction, not the artist's responsibility.
I enjoy your podcast. But I think there is a point that is completely missed.
We had this massive epi with major characters death and we believe that MIB is bad completely shaded dark/evil. But then in last weeks epi we get a ton of context and it shades are view of MIB back to gray.
We have learned in this show that characters are good and evil and no bad choice is solely bad, and no good choice is done for only good.
This epi gave us a view into why MIB is the way he is, but also gives reason for his actions and feeling.
Keep up the good work.