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Room 23

A gathering place for those who love the ABC TV show Lost. This blog was started by a group of Fans who kept the Season 3 finale talkback at Ain't It Cool.com going all the way until the première of the 4th season as a way to share images, news, spoilers, artwork, fan fiction and much more. Please come back often and become part of our community.

Monday, May 31, 2010

"The End" Poll Results

What did you think of "The End"

So AWESOME I'm totally satisfied 22 (47%)

Not enough answers, but still GREAT 14 (30%)

OK 4 (8%)

Just a plain BAD way to end it 4 (8%)

As HORRIBLE as being shot and kicked off a cliff 2 (4%)

Votes so far: 46

Nunu, the Greatest

Man Naveen lost his wife and now Joege loses his dog! Sad time for Lost actors, at least Josh got a Marvel Movie.

Nunu, the Greatest

It breaks my heart to tell you that yesterday as we were preparing to all go to the airport Nunu was struck by a car as she crossed the street. She died in my arms.

We are burying her in the Pet Garden at Valley of the Temple in Kaneohe. Nunu hated the water so we couldn't bring ourselves to having her ashes scattered in the ocean. Three months from now you'll be able to find a bronze plaque inscribed with just her name there. If you'd like to leave a flower or a toy, I'm sure she'd love it.

Please understand that I have turned off commenting on this blog because I really can't deal with approving them all. I did go through and label the posts that feature her should you want to go through them.

We love and miss her very much.

"Givitamah!"
http://dispatchesfromtheisland.blogspot.com/2010/05/nunu-greatest.html

LOST's Josh Holloway might be a Marvel Avenger

Posted by Sam McPherson on May 31st, 2010
Everyone knows him as Sawyer, the wisecracking, acerbic con man with a heart of gold. But now that Sawyer's (and LOST's) storyline has ended, actor Josh Holloway might just be moving on to a bigger job: superhero movies.

If there's one thing that can unite folks at the box office, it's superhero movies. Movies like Iron Man 2 and Kick-Ass have scored respectable audiences in a year of disappointing box offices, and Marvel Comics will continue not to disappoint, with a slew of new films slated for release, all leading up to the 2012 premiere of The Avengers, an all-star film that includes characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. Now, Joshua Holloway might have his toe in the door for a little piece of Avengers real estate as well, considering that he's in talks to star in a Marvel movie, Avengers News has reported.

While no source is given, the site says that Holloway is in talks for a lead role in an as-yet unknown film: "Apparently there’s been talk between Marvel and his group to play a “lead” role in an upcoming Marvel film. We mention a “lead” role because these bigger actors often won’t sign “retainers”, meaning everything should be 100% locked (character, film, etc) for Josh once he’s signed the dotted line."

Now, I don't know about you, but I would love to see Holloway in a big role in a film. Sure, LOST got him recognition, but to see him make the jump to A-Lister status would be nothing short of great. Of course, the question remains who he would play. Many speculate that he would play Henry Pym/Ant-Man, which would be a cool character if it weren't for the mediocre name. Would anyone really go to see a movie titled Ant-Man? I wouldn't.

Then there's my favorite still-uncast role, Hawkeye. Hawkeye is simply a really good archer, who seems to match Holloway's physical description. Now, would I go see a movie called Hawkeye? Signs point to yes.

That, of course, begs another question: will I ever be able to see Holloway as any other character but Sawyer? The role was so iconic and endearing that I'll most likely be seeing Sawyer in whatever Marvel movie Holloway is cast, if he is indeed given a role (much like Kent Taylor in Vantage Point– that was Jack!).

Would you like to see Holloway cast as a Marvel superhero? Would you be able to look past his unforgettable performance as Sawyer and see him in a new light?
http://www.tvovermind.com/tv-news/losts-josh-holloway-might-be-a-marvel-avenger/24323

Gone But Not Forgotten


A little something found on Simon Pegg's twitter feed. *SIGH* I miss LOST.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Lost's Naveen Andrews Found in Splitsville

Today 12:00 PM PDT by Jovie Baclayon

We wept when Sayid and Shannon reunited in the series finale of Lost, but life isn't imitating art for Naveen Andrews.

Andrews and his girlfriend of 12 years, actress Barbara Hershey, have called it quits according to People. His manager says the amicable split happened six months ago.

Hershey, 62, and Andrews, 41, met in 1998 on a filmset. Barbara is best known for her roles in Beaches and Hannah and Her Sisters.

The two briefly separated in 2005, during which Naveen fathered a son, Naveen Joshua, with another woman. In 2009, Naveen was granted legal and physical custody of his son.

(Originally published May 30, 2010, at 8:02 a.m. PT)
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b183524_losts_naveen_andrews_found_in.html

Nestor Carbonell and Henry Ian Cusick on the Finale

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Kristen E!: Lost Epilogue With Hurley and Ben Revealed!

Today 3:15 PM PDT by Kristin Dos Santos

One more reason to love Michael Emerson: He just spilled the goods on an amazing surprise for any Lost fan planning to buy the final, sixth-season DVD. (And trust me, now all of you will be buying it.)

There will be more Lost. There is more to the story, and we will get to see it! Praise Jacob! Or should we say...Hurley?!

"For those people that want to pony up and buy the complete Lost series, there is a bonus feature," Michael just told our Kevin Pereira of Attack of the Show!, which airs tonight at 7 on E!'s brother network G4. "Which is um, you could call it an epilogue. A lost scene. It's a lot; it's 12 or 14 minutes that opens a window onto that gap of unknown time between Hurley (Jorge Garcia) becoming number one and the end of the series."

Michael says this extra footage is not the premise for a spinoff. "It's self-contained. Although, it's a rich period in the show's mythology that ‘s never been explored, so who knows what will come of it."

That said, as I reported earlier, we'll find out what happens to Walt on the DVD as well. And so for the last time ever (sniff!), I think I get to say, Lost spoiler alert! Whatcha wanna bet that during Hurley and Ben's adventures on the island, they run into Walt a few years into the future, when he's oh, 18 and looking just as Malcolm David Kelley looks now?

Oh, genius show, I love you. Why must you make it so hard to let go? Just as we're trying to say good-bye, you dangle this most excellent carrot!

See all you fellow fans in the overnight campout line for the Lost season-six DVD.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b183093_lost_epilogue_with_hurley_ben_revealed.html

Walt and Finale Credits

Question about the ‘Lost’ finale: I thought we were supposed to see Walt one last time? Did something change? – Craig

You perhaps got wind of what ‘Lost’ boss Carlton Cuse said at last week’s Times Talk Live event: “You will actually see Malcolm [David Kelley], when all is said and done.” But he wasn’t necessarily referring to the series finale that was broadcast on Sunday. So yes, they did find a way to reintroduce (a grown) Walt, but you’ll have to wait for the Season 6 DVD extras.

My friends and I are debating the significance of the wreckage shown during the ‘Lost’ finale’s closing credits. Was that the plane Lapidus was flying everyone off the island on? Or was that Oceanic 815, meaning everyone died in the original crash? – Leah

It was C) Not quite any of the above. While many have sought to read something into the serene image of the Oceanic 815 wreckage, sources assure me that coda was chosen strictly to serve as a “buffer” between the finale’s mind-bending final act and the local newscast to come.
Source: Fancast

Josh Holloway: 'Lost finale was perfect'

Monday, May 24 2010, 6:41am EDT
By Catriona Wightman, TV Reporter

Josh Holloway has revealed that he is pleased with the way Lost ended.

In the finale, Holloway's character Sawyer reunited with Juliet and the actor explained that he was happy with the outcome.

"Absolutely," he told Entertainment Weekly. "And it leaves Jack and Kate to find each other again - as they always should have."

Holloway continued: "I feel like Kate and Sawyer were not a couple for life. They had an undeniable love. But a life-long thing? I don't think so. I think Sawyer wanted her to be with Jack, anyway. Not to mention the fact that he's in love with Juliet.

"So I liked the way it worked out. I thought it was perfect. Because people were always like, 'Who she going to choose? Who she going to choose?' Well, she's obviously going to choose the doctor in my world view! Why wouldn't she?"
http://www.digitalspy.com/cult/s10/lost/news/a221481/josh-holloway-lost-finale-was-perfect.html

Kristen E!: Lost Redux: See You In Another Life, Brotha

Mon., May. 24, 2010 2:14 AM PDT by Kristin Dos Santos

Never before has a TV breakup hurt so much...and left us blubbering like such babies.

Tonight we Lost fans lost our "Constant"—the show we connected with on such a soul-grippingly deep level for six years, it feels as if we've lost not just a TV series, but a true friend.

So did the series finale live up to expectations? And what did it all mean? Let's dig in...

One glance at Twitter, Facebook etc. tonight and you'll see that the fans are a bit divided on Lost's final episode. Some loved it, some hated it, and some are still trying to figure out what the bejeezus happened. I'm most definitely in the first camp: LOVED IT, as tonight's finale was perhaps the most emotionally gratifying series ender in the history of television. Damon and Carlton gave us exactly what they promised—resolution on the things that mattered most to the characters.

Jack, Kate, Locke, Desmond, Sawyer, Juliet, Claire, etc. all ended up in a happy place...but what exactly was that place?

WHAT WE LEARNED

The Sideways World Was a Passage to "The Light": Charlie's (Dominic Monaghan) iconic question from the very first episode—"Guys, where are we?"—came full circle tonight, as Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox) asked that very Q of his father, Christian Shephard, in Lost's epic final scene.

Jack: Where are we?
Christian: This is a place you all made together so you could find one another...Nobody does it all alone. You needed them and they needed you.
Jack: For what?
Christian: To remember and to let go.

Obviously, precisely "where" these characters were going will be long debated, but for what it's worth, here's my take: Damon and Carlton told the truth when they said the Island was not purgatory. It wasn't, and what happened there happened, and everyone was alive.

However, the Sideways world was a postdeath place of limbo where Jack was waiting until he was ready to "let go" and cross over to the Light, which is basically Lost's form of heaven. The Losties who appeared in the church at the end all died at different times in different places (some much later on) but came together in that space to help Jack move on.

But it wasn't only about helping Jack. The Losties all gathered in the church to cross over to the Light because Jack saved that very Light when he rescued the Island. As we were told this season, if the Light "goes out here, it goes out everywhere" and "everyone you love would simply cease to be." If the Light had gone out, the Losties could never have reconnected with their loved ones again. But because Jack saved it, they all get to live blissfully ever after. The (brilliant) end.

And something you probably caught, but just in case: Throughout the season, the blood that appeared on Jack's neck was an indication that Jack was already dead/dying and on his way to "another life, brotha." (A little Sixth Sense-ish. And spine-tinglingly cool.)


ABC/Mario Perez
So What Is Lost's "Heaven?" It's "Light"...and That Other "L Word": Lesbians! (I keed.) Boss Damon Lindelof told me several weeks back that Lost is, at its very core, a love story: "Always has been. Always will be." And tonight, as each set of Constants reconnected and moved toward the Light—Sun and Jin, Charlie and Claire, Jack and Kate, Juliet and Sawyer--we saw that heaven is, indeed, being with the one(s) you love. It made for some of the most awe-inspiring, romantic scenes ever seen on television. I'm sure I'm not alone when I tell you I sobbed so hard at times, I found it hard to breathe. Everyone obviously will react differently to this finale but to me personally, it was the most cathartic TV viewing experience I have ever had. And no one can debate that away.

Hope This Helps: I'm seeing a lot of confusion on this out there, so want to point it out that I firmly believe the Losties did not all die in the plane crash or on the island. They were alive on the island. They all died at different times and in different places (some on the island; some off). This final season was about them being in a holding pattern (the Sideways world) after they died, and Desmond showing them all that they are in fact dead and it's time to move forward with the ones they love. They needed each other to "Remember and to move on."

Jack died on the island. Kate, Claire, Lapidus, Sawyer, Miles and Richard all left the island and lived out their lives. (Jack saw their plane taking off safely as he died.) When Kate saw Jack in the church, on their way to the afterlife (The Light), she told him how much she had missed him, because she probably lived on many years once she got off the island.

When Hurley and Ben meet up, they reference that Hurley "was a great number one" and Ben was a "great number two." That's because they lived on the island after Jack died to protect it, presumably for many years. Ben says he's not yet ready to move on because he doesn't feel he's ready to cross over (or doesn't yet deserve to).

The more I think about all this, the more I love it. I hope you do, too.

Jack Was Supposed to Die—from the Very Beginning: "There was an early version of the script in which my character was killed off in the first or second act," Matthew Fox told me way back at Lost's first premiere party. Jack was to be a guest role played by someone such as—can you picture this?—Michael Keaton. So instead they let us invest for six seasons only to find out that it was all about Jack's death after all?! Gaaaah! Of course, we should have seen it coming the second Rose told Jack in the season opener: "It's OK. You can let go."

On Kimmel tonight, Matthew Fox backed up Jimmy's theory that Jack's Island experience was real, and really happened (Christian Shephard also told him so), but the final season (and the Sideways world) was Jack's "test" to determine whether he would go toward the light.

"There's room for interpretation based on your spiritual beliefs," Matthew said. That would explain the stained-glass window in the church with all of the major religions of the world represented--and what looks like the frozen donkey wheel (though I'm told now that's actually a Buddhist symbol called the Dharmachakra). We gotcha, Darlton! Very on the nose.

"I knew that the final image would be [Jack's] eye," Matthew told Kimmel. "And I knew that he would die."

But did you know that Vincent would lie down next to Jack to keep him company while he passed over? 'Cause Jesus that was a tearjerker. So well done.


ABC/Mario Perez
Hurley Got to Be the New Jacob! Yes, Jack fulfilled his destiny by drinking the wine, replugging the cork down in the light cave and saving the Island (and everyone we love), but it was Hurley who ended up as the next protector of the Island. Anyone else choke up as Hurley asked Ben to stick around and help him, finally giving Ben what he wanted all along: a real purpose? A chance to be special?

Of course, we should have seen that it would be Hurley, as he is the one true, pure spirit who never once lied to anyone, and carried a simple but sizable heart...just like Jacob. To quote that awesome West Wing woman C.J. Craig: "It was always you. I see that now."

And by the way, that scene with Jack down at the replugged cork, sobbing as the water and the light started rushing back in over him is arguably Matthew Fox's finest work to date.


ABC/MARIO PEREZ
Even Claire Got a Happy Ending. Kate convincing Claire to get on the plane, and that "no one knows how to be a mother at first, but I'll show you," was certainly one of the most satisfying moments of the finale—at least for this mom. After so much heartbreak—and the recent abandonment of Ji Yeon—Claire got to go home and be a mother to Aaron, whom we were told long ago should not be raised by another. And Kate got to stay close to the boy she raised for three years. Beautiful.

WHAT LIES AHEAD

Damon Lindelof just tweeted what he has said will be his last words about Lost: "Remember. Let go. Move on. I will miss it more than I can ever say."

Clearly, it's the message the producers would like us to carry from tonight. And though the debates will rage on over what Lost was about, why Kate ended up with Jack and not Sawyer, and why Josh Holloway runs like a girl (kidding...sorta), I think we all can agree that Lost was groundbreaking television unlike anything we've seen before--or will probably ever see again.

Lost, you will be sorely missed. Thanks for one hell of a ride. I'll see you on the other side cause you will always be my TV love.

Please check back later to see my answers to lingering questions such as the Man in Black's name (yes, he had one), what happened to Walt and more, plus reactions from me and the fans—straight from my Lost finale party tonight.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b182506_lost_redux_see_you_in_another_life.html

Evangeline Lilly Dating ‘Lost’ Production Assistant?

Monday May 24, 2010

EVANGELINE Lilly has a new man in her life.

The Lost actress — who previously dated her costar Dominic Monaghan — is said to have hooked up with Lost production assistant Norman Kali.

And Monaghan, sources say, isn’t a happy chappy about his ex’s new beau.

“Lost certainly has been very good for Evie’s love life,” a set insider told American tabloid the National Enquirer.

“Her romance with Dominic was red-hot for a long time, and they’ve still managed to remain friends. Now she’s found love again on the Lost set with Norman.

The source added that Lilly and Kali became friends working on the show and “in time that friendship blossomed into romance.”

“Norman’s everything Evie wants,” said the pal. “He’s handsome, strong and buff. He loves the outdoors and has a great sense of humor.

“It’s been hard for Dominic to accept that Evie has moved on.”
http://www.showbizspy.com/article/205120/evangeline-lilly-dating-lost-production-assistant.html

Kristin: Lost's Big Bosses Answer the Stars' Post-Finale Questions

Sun., May. 23, 2010 11:58 PM PDT by Kristin Dos Santos


Sob.

As if it's remotely possible to cry more than we already did during tonight's spectacular Lost finale (stand by for the deep-digging Redux posting soon), I'm here to put the cherry on top. Two cherries, actually. We've collected some supersweet fan thank-yous from our favorite Losties, and in the video above you'll find their touching tributes to you.

And if you're thinking the Lost stars don't have some lingering, post-finale questions, think again. Below, Daniel Dae Kim, Jorge Garcia and more reveal the stuff they're still dying to know, and Lost masterminds Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse pony up some answers...


So, no big deal. Jin's just an Olympian-grade diver, and Hurley's a gamer. Totally feasible.

As for Ian Somerhalder wanting to know what the hell is going on on Lost, hopefully tonight's finale kinda sorta satisfied that query. Yes?
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b182484_losts_big_bosses_answer_stars.html

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Doc Jensen: 'Lost' finale recap, part two: Step into the light

Love, death, redemption, mystery, faith, allegory -- yep, that's the show we've known and loved for six seasons
By Jeff Jensen May 25, 2010

Target + LOST: Smokey

Target + LOST: Ribs

Target + LOST: Numbers

"Lost in Your Eyes" LOST Montage

Jimmy Kimmel - LOST alternate ending! 24 May 2010 -comedy-

Monday, May 24, 2010

Doc Jensen: 'Lost' finale recap, part one: And In The End...

Jack's journey -- and ours -- draws to a close with an epic tangle of good and evil, faith and reason, and Island and Sideways
By Jeff Jensen May 24, 2010

Top 10 most important mysteries

Around Season 4 I put this poll up of the top ten mysteries that you want to be answered before the show ends or the show will be ruined for you. Some mysteries have been answered clearly, some have not been and others theres enough pieces to make a good enough guess about it. Some have even been given more resolution through Darlton's Podcasts. 110 of you voted, here are the results with how or if they were answered.


Top ten mysteries that must be answered or lost will be ruined for you. (Please only check ten boxes)

Adam and Eve (black and white stones)
53 (48%)
Answered on the show = MIB and "Mother"

Four toed statue
57 (51%)
Answered Partially = We know how it broke and that Jacob lives there, and who the statue is of. But we don't know who built it, how, why and why Tawret.

Jacob and the roving shack
68 (61%)
Not answered definitively, but theres clues. MIB probably was the one in the cabin during all visits. MIB may or may not have been trapped in there or only able to leave in Smoke form

Whispers
58 (52%)
Answered = Michael told Hurley that it was the spirits of people who died on the island not ready to move on. In that episodes podcast Darlton said that the whispers give warnings and announce the coming of the Others.

The Smoke Monster
71 (64%)
Answered = The Man in Black, he became MIB after Jacob threw him into the cave of light.

Black Rock and Nigerian Cessna & the Tunsian Polar Bear
39 (35%)
Answered = The Black Rock was Richard Alpert's slave boat that brought him to the island, a tsunami or giant wave threw it into the statue (breaking it) and it landed in the middle of the island. The Nigerian Cessna was the drug plane that Eko's Brother Remi was on when it came to the island. Dharma brought the Polar Bears to Hydra island for tests. As for how it got to Tunisia you could speculate that it was used to test the donkey wheel and landed in the Tunisia desert?

Dharma purge/hostiles
18 (16%)
The Hostiles were Jacob's people under the leadership of Widmore, Eloise and Ben and were at odds with Dharma. This poll was given after "The Man behind the Curtain" Since then there hasn't been much new information on it. We did learn last season that Widmore Ordered it.

Richard Alpert age & toe count
65 (59%)
Age Answered = Born 1867/Immortal. Most likely does not have 4 toes like the statue, not Egyptian

"The Incident"
30 (27%)
Answered = Juliet and the castaways caused it

Walt's specialness
66 (60%)
Not answered, but there are enough pieces to speculate that his power was to call animals to him.

Glass eye
9 (8%)
Not Answered Mikials?

Rousseau's Story with details about science team & how Montand lost his arm
12 (10%)
Answered

Fertility issues
45 (40%)
Not Answered definitively, Jacob could have caused it, or maybe "Mother" after Jacob and MIB were born. Or maybe leftover gas poisoning from the purge?

Claire's "psychic" Will great danger come from Kate raising Aaron?
37 (33%)
Answered = Darlton explained it this way in a recent IGN interview: "What's the story with Aaron?" And we go, okay, the story with Aaron is that a psychic told Claire that he was special, but then subsequently, in an Eko episode, we revealed that the psychic was a fraud. So people are like, "Why is Aaron special?" and we're like, "But, that wasn't true. That guy was a liar." "Well, why did The Others abduct him?" Well, the Others revealed that they abducted him because he was a baby born on the island, and they wanted to see if there was anything they could glean scientifically to solve their fertility issues.And so there it is in the show, in black and white, but people still say, "So why is Aaron special?!" or, "What are you going to reveal about him?" Aaron became emotionally special, because Kate ended up having to raise him and she ended up returning to the island to bring Claire back home. So that's why he's special. But if you're looking for the answer to, "What are his superpowers?" or "When will he finally deploy his laser eyes?", the answer is… the finale. He deploys his laser eyes in the finale.

They were joking about that.

Paik's watch
7 (6%)
Just a watch that Jin was bringing to one of Paik's clients, nothing more. Michael pawned it to buy a gun to kill himself.

Freightie missions & stories
7 (6%)
We found out a lot more about Daniel, Charlotte and Miles, but nothing more about Frank.

Libby's story
28 (25%)
In the Flash Sideways we found out that she checked herself into Hurley's mental institute, but nothing more.

Abbaddon's story
21 (19%)
Works for Widmore, influenced Locke to go on the Walkabout that got him on the island, that's all we know except that now he's working for the government heading a team that investigates strange occurrences.

Widmore's relationship to the island
46 (41%)
He was one of the leaders of the Others under Jacob and Richard. He was kicked off or left willingly for having a relationship with a non Other off island. Its unclear as to who that woman is or exactly how close he was to Jacob or why he ordered the purge.

Ben & Widmore's relationship
52 (47%)
Ben was an Other who got Widmore kicked off the island. Ben took over the leadership of the Others after Widmore left.

What is the island?
85 (77%)
Darlton said in the last Podcast that the water in the light cave and in the temple and other places could be thought of as the life blood of a creature (the island) Also that the island could be thought of as a "Cork" that was keeping the Smoke Monster/MIB from destroying the world. The island can be moved by the Donkey Wheel. The place that Jacob would bring candidates to be tested to replace him.

Votes so far: 110

"What They Died For" Poll Results

What did you think of "What They Died For"?

So AWESOME it made me want to protect the island with Jack
19 (76%)

As GREAT as a Lost Family Meal
2 (8%)

OK
3 (12%)

As BAD as being punched by Desmond
1 (4%)

As HORRIBLE as being shot by Ben
0 (0%)

Votes so far: 25


What were your favorate moments in "What They Died For"?


Breakfast at the Shepard Home
3 (20%)

Jack sewing up Kates wound this time
3 (20%)

Mile's "otherwise known as last week" line
8 (53%)

Ben, Richard and Mile's moment at Alex's burial swing set
1 (6%)

Ben's comment about the Smoke Monster being the one who actually summoned him
4 (26%)

Desmond beating on Ben one more time
9 (60%)

Widmore "as usual", three steps ahead of Ben
3 (20%)

Sawyer and Jack's moment about who really killed the Kwons and Sayid
6 (40%)

Alt. Desmond turning himself in
3 (20%)

Family Dinner at the Rouseaus
6 (40%)

MIB smashing Richard into a tree
2 (13%)

Ben shooting Widmore
3 (20%)

Jacob's campfire moment
8 (53%)

Kates question about what everyone died for
5 (33%)

Jacob's reason for why Kate's name was crossed off
4 (26%)

Jack talking on the role of Island Protector
4 (26%)

Sawyer's God Complex comment about Jack
3 (20%)

The ritual for Jack to become Protector
5 (33%)

Ana Lucia!!!!!
6 (40%)

The prison break
5 (33%)

Desmond gathering a team
11 (73%)

Votes so far: 15

Sunday, May 23, 2010

My experience as a Lost Blogger

First off I just want to thank you all for following and supporting me as I have strived to share news, spoilers, art and other things about this awesome show! Its been an incredible experience doing this and more importantly getting to know all of you in comments made here in various forms at Ain't It Cool, Lost For Life, Room 23 forums and meeting you in person at Comic-Con, D-23, ARG events and other places.

6 years ago Lost came out and I was actually watching Smallville and didn't want to add another show to my list. LOL I saw the Jack/Hurley scene where Hurley fainted while trying to help Jack fix the Marshall and it intrigued me. So during the Summer between Seasons 1 and 2 ABC aired reruns of most of Season 1 so I watched the Pilot and I was hooked for good. I watched the reruns and checked out the DVDs for the unaired ones. Come Season 2 I was so excited to see what was in the Hatch and if Kate would survive going down in the hatch (the trailers for the premiere had her go down and then a guillotine sound and her screaming LOL) I was in the rare minority that absolutely loved Season 2.

All of this eventually lead to my hanging out at Ain't It Cool talkbacks discussing the new episodes and doing watchbacks during the breaks and soon after I created this blog as a means to share news and spoilers with friends there. I had no idea that it would turn out to be something a lot bigger. A group of us ran it and it was a really fun experience. Over the years different people have come and gone, its been great getting to know all of them.

I can't say that Lost has changed my life, but I can definitely say that its added a lot to my life. I have related most to Locke and Jack with their test of faith and different points in their character arcs. I'm like Jack since I'm stubborn and Locke because of my faith in things to a fault. I have loved being able to hang out with all of you and to get to know you better. I have loved creating Lost designs and have appreciated all of your support and kind words. Its been an awesome ride, one that I hope to keep going for as long as possible.

I have many plans for the next few months and beyond. First off I plan on keeping Room 23 going with reports on what projects the actors and writers are up to along with info on the upcoming Season 6 DVD, The DK Lost Encyclopedia and more. I also plan on making a few cosmetic changes. Also Room 23 forums will continue to run as a place to discuss Lost and other things Troll free. http://room23.freeforums.org/index.php FlashForward is almost dead and gone unfortunately, I was planing on making the Mosaic Collective blog my new blog. So because of my love for another JJ Abrams show I plan on creating a Fringe blog and am even thinking of maybe a GLEE blog.?.?.?

Anyways as for Room 23 Store I am definitely keeping that going. There are tons of Lost characters to design for Trading cards with the Others, Dharma and other groups along with more Fringe and GLEE characters. I plan on finally doing some shirts on CafePress and eventually a 3 dimensional Trading Cards holder in the shape of the swan hatch! Plus much more. So keep coming back, because we have tons more in store! Thank you all for everything that you done to add to Room 23 by just being here!

Special Thanks to Anna of the Four Toed Foot and Anil of ODI for always being cool and helping me out when needed and to all of the other Lost sites out there who have plugged my store!

Lost Crossword


Benjamin Burns made me aware of this awesome Crossword Puzzle from "The Puzzle Hub" Thanks Benjamin!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Houston pastor's book examines biblical dimension of 'Lost'

Friday, May. 21, 2010

By RICK BENTLEY

McClatchy Newspapers

Lost fans have suggested a variety of theories behind the mysteries of the ABC series since it launched in 2004: alien races, secret government plots, shared dreams, purgatory.

The twisted, confusing and complicated mythology of Lost meant that every frame and phrase had to be closely scrutinized for clues to the baffling meaning.

All of Lost's secrets might not be revealed in Sunday's finale, but at least enough clues have been divulged this season that fans, experts and even the actors say the show's storylines have been based on spiritual teachings. The primary message is that no matter what kind of life you have lived -- doctor, soldier, scientist, thief -- redemption is available to everyone.

The journey to find salvation, like a modern day version of John Milton's Paradise Lost, has had the flawed survivors of the crash of Oceanic Flight 815 face challenges from polar bears to atomic bombs as tests. And now that the end is here, some have seen the light, while others remain in the dark.

Chris Seay, a Houston pastor, has written The Gospel According to Lost, a book that takes an in-depth look at the show's biblical references. He suggests that the seemingly infinite number of ideas, philosophies and biblical metaphors has made the series popular.

He says Lost hasn't been an exact representation of the Bible but more of a post-modern vision of events in Genesis and Exodus. Seay compares Lost to the writings of C.S. Lewis, who adapted biblical teachings for his Narnia stories.

It won't be clear whether Lost has gone by the Good Book or created a story that is a mish-mash of spiritual and philosophical ideas until after the finale. The ending could take a 90-degree turn to one of the many other theories about the show. Even if that happens, spiritual teachings have been a big influence.

"For the writers of Lost, the biblical narrative is a big part of the larger story. It has come into play more than philosophy, science or other religions -- such as Hinduism -- that pop up. It dominates in a way the other themes have not," Seay said.

Parts of the narrative have been as simple as naming characters after those in the Bible, such as Jacob (Mark Pellegrino) and Aaron (played by various children). Other parts have been as complicated as the island being a parallel to the garden of Eden.

The purgatory theory, says Seay, is wrong. He points to Jacob's description of the island as "a cork holding back the evil" as more in line with the island being the gates of hell.

Lost has consistently dealt with the battles between having faith and needing a reason to believe, particularly with the characters of Locke (Terry O'Quinn) and Jack (Matthew Fox). Locke told Jack that their differing views on faith and reason were why they always disagreed.

Jacob's final campfire ceremony to find the protector looked to Seay like an old-fashioned revival. The job of guardian was available to anyone willing to accept it and ended with a ceremonial drinking of a cup of water similar to the Eucharist, a re-enactment of the Lord's Supper.

The major promotional photograph for this season of Lost featured the cast lined up on one side of a long table in the same manner as Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper.

Some Lost characters have taken on more biblical characteristics than others. Nestor Carbonell's Richard was given eternal life because of his strong faith -- the foundation of both Judaism and Christianity.

"I had to report to a higher power, and that was always Jacob, who was sort of a nebulous higher power, so it kind of always felt religious or spiritual in that way," Carbonell said. "When they explained my back story this year, we definitely got into religious themes about the devil and, obviously, good versus evil as well as mythological themes as well."

And now all of those themes come down to the finale. Lost executive producer Carlton Cruse said before the start of this sixth and final season that not every question will be answered and that some people will be upset.

A few more questions could be answered on Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha to Lost at 11:05 p.m. CDT Sunday, when three alternative final scenes will be shown. And there are reports that the DVD set of the last season, to be released Aug. 24, will feature additional footage.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/05/21/2208359/houston-pastors-book-examines.html

Lost Director Jack Bender on the Series Finale and the One Character He Wishes He Could Kill Again

Just as Lost ends on Sunday, so end our weekly Lost Q&As. For our final installment, we spoke to the director of not just the finale that's airing Sunday night, but also the director who most likely directed whatever your favorite episode of Lost happens to be, Jack Bender. Thanks to Jeff Fordis at ABC for dealing with our weekly panicked e-mails. Also, thanks to the Vulture commenters for supplying terrific questions week after week so we could ask questions ranging from porn to Desmond Hume pickup lines without, you know, actually having to ask ourselves. Bender gives us some behind-the-scenes stories of shooting the finale, discusses his relationship with certain actors (including the dearly departed Mr. Eko), what episode he wishes he had a do-over on, why he's not always a fan of Smokey, and told us how, exactly, to tell on Sunday night what was the last scene ever filmed for Lost.

When directing the character, is there really much of a difference directing Jack Shephard and this new all-powerful god Jack Shephard?
One of the things about all of our actors ... whether it was Terry O'Quinn who started to inhabit the smoke monster toward the end of last season, a season before he knew where it was going because I didn't tell him. He subliminally started to channel that darkness and just went down that path. Damon, Carlton, and I always talk about — from the writing end and me from the executive-producing and directing end — we don't know if we write Lost or if Lost writes us. And Matthew Fox, along those lines, it was a progression — him getting to this point; his character letting go and realizing that there was a greater purpose to his reason for being on the island and at one point that would be revealed to him. It's true of all the actors, but Matthew and I work beautifully together. He comes extremely prepared. We have had many creative — capital "C" — disagreements and arguments because we're both very strong willed. And we have come to this wonderful place together where we are completely and utterly in sync with the work. That's been a real, wonderful, element of the show.

You directed every Lost season finale. Did you approach directing the series finale any differently?
Well, yeah, of course I did. Basically, making our show was so difficult in terms of the elements; the amount of scope; what we're attempting to put on the screen based on the scripts; the balance of the action adventure quotient of our show; the intimacy of character; and making sure the actors were framed to do the best work they could do. Even the fact that I had directed and was the creative head in Hawaii — I directed so many episodes — I never once approached an episode thinking, Oh, I've got this down. Our show never became easy. Every time I stepped up to the plate, I went, "Oh, fuck, I better not strike out on this one." I guess I always feel that way, whether I was doing The Sopranos or anything, but this show always demanded the best of us. The finale was enormously challenging and big on every level. It was like a big ol' movie — two-and-a-half-hours' worth. On a character level, it was enormously challenging and emotional. And the thing that's different this time, even though we were all just one foot in front of the other, it was emotionally very clear to all of us that it was the end. And at times that would hit you like a ton of bricks. You'd go, "Oh my God, this is the last time we're going to be shooting on this beach." I kind of made a running joke at times like, "Aw, this is the last time Sawyer and Kate are going to get pissed off at each other." That's a long-winded way of saying, "Yes, it was very different."

You mentioned The Sopranos. It's been a few years and people still talk about "Made in America." Do you feel the added pressure of knowing that people will be talking about this episode, whether it's well received or not, for a very long time?
There was one particular scene — I won't tell you which one; you can call me after the finale when you've seen it — it's a fairly climactic scene. And we had carved out a good portion of our day to do it and I was really feeling the weight of that scene — not to sound pretentious — and what I knew what the actors had to deliver and what I had to orchestrate. Even though my approach on the show has always been that I just want to frame the characters in a way that's appropriate for the scene in the story and nothing visually gimmicky or pretentious about it; I wanted our show to always be about actors in the real world, whether it was the island world or the sideways or flashback of flash forward word. That particular scene, I found myself somewhat turbulent and really concerned that we get it right, and thank God we did.

We're assuming the Lost finale was not shot chronologically. Can you tell us what to look for on Sunday so we can know when we're watching what the actual last scene shot was?
I can tell you there was some discussion about what would be the last shot, and I decided that I wanted the last shot to involve Terry O'Quinn and Matthew Fox. And it was not an entirely popular choice on the production end because it meant keeping the actors a little longer and not getting them off of the clock. Blah blah blah. I insisted the last shot of our series was not going to be something arbitrary. In fact, we did three takes of it. And it involved a crane. It was a shot in the picture and it involved a crane with the two of them. We rehearsed it and we did take one and I said, "Well, that was wonderful guys, but I'm not ready to let go yet." So we did it again and I said, "That was also wonderful, but I can't say it yet." And then, on the third take, I said, "Well, I guess I have to say it now — that's a wrap." And that was our last shot, at 5:30 in the morning as the sun was coming up.

We have some questions from Vulture readers. EllenJudith wants to thank you for lending your expertise to the show and wants to know who your favorite actor was to direct?
Well, thank Ellen for me. Believe me, it was my pleasure. You know what, it's like asking me to pick out my favorite daughter and I only have two. You love them for different reasons. There's no question that some were more challenging at times than others. Terry O'Quinn and I always clicked and saw eye to eye. I did the good chunk of episodes, from "Walkabout" on, which was where we really found the show. I did a lot of the iconic Locke episodes as the schedule worked out and he and I rarely butted heads. And as I said about Matthew Fox, which was really interesting, he and I had a lot of really creative disagreements. And we would hammer away at each other and work out a way to take a little bit away from what the other guy was saying. It was only the last year or two when there was less fire between us and probably more water where we were — just flowing in the same direction. I guess there are one or two people over the years, who are no longer on the show, who maybe we didn't appreciate each others' gifts as much as we would have liked to.

Like Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje?
[Laughs.] Oh ... that's possible. Adewale is an extraordinary person and really gifted and complex, and I don't know if his experience on Lost is what he would point to as one of the most enjoyable experiences of his life. Even though he was probably ultimately proud of what he did, and certainly the audience found Mr. Eko very compelling.

Davidmcg's favorite episode of yours was "The Constant." What is your favorite?
It's so hard to say what's my favorite episode, it falls in the category of "What's my favorite Beatles song?" [A voice in the background yells, "'The Constant'!"] "The Constant," my wife just walked by and said. "The Constant" certainly was incredibly challenging because it was the first time, directorially, that I really had to find the language for how we were going to slip in and out of time. Once again, the focus on characters is what came to me. We came up with transitions that weren't going to rely on tricky gimmickry. We just tried to focus on where Desmond was one moment and what his confusions were. That was obviously challenging, but the results were really gratifying.

Maybe this is easier: EllenJudith also wants to know if there's an episode you directed that you wish you could redo?
Actually, there is one. And, oddly enough, it's the death of Mr. Eko. I don't think that was my finest hour and I think the script sort of relied too heavily on a ghost story. I would have preferred a more emotional good-bye to that character.

It was pretty quick ...
Well, it was quick, and it was also him seeing his dead brother and running around and ghosts in the jungle. And I think I could have shot some of that stuff a little more effectively. And, yet, the script was what the script was. It was kind of a ghost story. And I think, probably, looking back on that, from the writers to me, we could all look back and go, "You know what, that probably wasn't our finest hour and we probably could have done a better episode saying good-bye to that character." There were also certain smoke-monster sequences that I thought ended up looking really cheesy early on. In fact, the death of Eko, when he was getting thrown around those trees ... Shooting that scene was not easy and when you saw Mr. Eko just getting pulled and thrown into these trees, this big man, it was very scary. But the more smoke-monster shots they added to it, the sillier it became. It's kind of like the monster under the water: You don't want to see it all the time. So seeing him just getting dragged around was really effective ... and then adding ten more smoke-monster shots than we designed, at the end of the day, probably wasn't the strongest way to do it.

Annie_in_NY wonders what you will miss most?
Everything. I'll miss the writing; my relationship with Damon and Carlton and the other writers; I will miss Hawaii ... Even though I've been asked to go back and do another show right now, which I'm not going to do. When I go back to Hawaii to do a show in the future ... it was too soon to go back and not be doing Lost. I'll miss the crew; I'll miss the actors and the extraordinary relationship creatively we all had. Do you know what else I will miss? I'll miss doing a show that took the world and spun it around a little faster.

By: Mike Ryan

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/05/lost_director_jack_bender_on_s.html