Spearguns, ghostly apparitions and mindfucks.
Yes, the 'Lost' season three finale had it all, in spades. This was two hours of cracking television.
For a long time I've said that crash landing on the Island like the survivors would be the greatest thing in the world. Who wouldn't want to live there? Screw the 'monster' I'd just hang out on the beach and eat mangoes.
Instead of speculating on who the "he" Kate mentioned was. Or if that was really Walt talking to Locke in the Dharma pit, let's breakdown the finale in a soccer-ratings style.
Starters (Losties)
GK: Sayid Jarrah -- Can't you picture the Iraqi as one of those Middle Eastern keepers that play in sweatpants? His calming presence aides the Lost defense and his timely saves have bailed them out of many tight spots. In the finale, he made the most of his screen time when tested, blowing up dynamite, then breaking Jason's neck with a scissor-sweep that would have made Jack Bauer himself blush. Rating: 7 (out of 10)
LB: Desmond Hume -- A good left back is worth its weight in gold, much like the precognitive Scotsman. Maybe his performance in Wednesday's finale will convince SAF to plunk down some pound notes to bring his countryman to Old Trafford. Simply put, any time you shoot someone with a speargun, especially if that someone is a scumbag in an eyepatch, you get a gold star in my book. Rating: 7.0
CB: James Ford -- The man known as Sawyer had the line of the season when he shot Tom, which I admit, caused me to jump off my couch. "That's for taking the kid off the raft." Rating: 8.5
CB: Hugo Reyes -- A Sawyer/Hurley central defensive pairing works in a way similar to Han Solo and Chewbacca, as these two might be the most underrated pairing on the show. Again, Hugo showed a Malidini-esque commitment to the Beach (Milan), driving the Dharma van right over the Others commando leader, Pryce, a poor man's Bennett from the movie 'Commando.' Hurley is hardcore. Rating: 9.0
RB: Bernard -- Sometimes teams are stuck playing a guy that can't play right back at right back. Yes, Bernard the dentist, did shoot his dynamite like (John) Rambo, but he also was willing to wither to the Others' demands at gunpoint. So in that regard, he made some strong contributions to the attack, but got caught out of position on defense and cost the team. Rating: 5.0
LM: Juliette Burke -- Like it or not, we've got to accept her as a Lostie. Perhaps we'll even get a gratuitous bikini shot of her next season (I think it is written into all the females contracts). In the finale, again she lied about the guns. And when she showed up to 'rescue' Jin, Sayid and Bernard she didn't really do anything. Still, she ran her heart out for the 90 minutes and didn't exactly make any mistakes except for being overtly cautious. Rating: 5.0
CDM: John Locke -- Looks like Locke will be the one 'protecting' the Island in the next few seasons, just like a defensive midfielder protects his backline. In the finale Locke appeared paralyzed again, but found the power to drive on for the full 90 minutes thanks to Walt. The knife in the back of City-supporting Naomi, a good, hard tackle, no? His one mistake, again it was proven he wasn't a killer and couldn't stop Jack from making the fateful call off the island. Rating: 6.5 (That one mistake was huge.)
AM: Jack Sheppard -- For better or worse, Jack in the fulcrum that drives the show, much like Steven Gerrard drives Liverpool FC. (Unsure on the King of the Scousers thoughts on 90s alt-rock.) Neither players had Wednesdays to remember, Jack screwing up his live leaving the Island; Stevie G. in the Champions League final. As an attacking player Jack simply runs with his head down too much, putting too much pressure on himself to make the plays and carry the team on his back, when passing to an open teammate would suffice.
Good call by a certain Shaquilino comparing Jack to Brett Favre, except I don't see Peter King fawning over Jack. In the end, Jack's massive blunder cost his team a victory. Rating: 4.5
RM: Kate Austen -- Kate is flashy, and draws a lot of looks, sort of like a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. And believe it or not, Ronaldo has the occasional bad game, much like Kate did in the finale. She didn't really do much, ok, she circled around to make sure Ben was alone. Then in the 'future' she crush Jack yet again. What's next, getting her Canuck-teeth shaved down? Rating: 5.0
SS: Charlie Pace -- There really isn't any connection to playing a supporting striker and Charlie, a one-time pop-chart topping singer. However, Dominic Monaghan is a Manchester United supporter so I figure he must love Wayne Rooney. Both aren't very tall. So there you have it. Again, I'll admit, Charlie was never an Island favorite per say, yet his death did get me a little misty eyed. Must have been when he crossed himself. You are everybody, indeed. Rating: 8.0
CF: Jin-Soo Kwon -- Time after time on the Island (and its surrounding waters) Jin has proven he's the ultimate team player. He's so underrated it's not even funny. In the finale he goofed and missed a clear chance at goal, misfiring on the dynamite. Still, he managed to poke home the rebound, narcing out two of the Others with his nine. The Republic of Korea international was even ready to take a bullet to save his wife and the rest of the beach camp. That my friends is a guy you want on your team. Rating: 6.5
Reserves (Losties)
* Walt -- Came off the pine after and extended layoff and buried his one chance. If it was really Walt, or just a ghost, who knows? Definitely one of the episodes many highlights. (8.0)
* Karl -- Didn't see any action, but appears to have transferred to the beach camp. (NR)
* Naomi -- Who the hell is she? Knifed down in cold blood by Locke for what was tantamount to an own goal. (4.5)
* Sun/Claire/Rose -- Reduced to background players, didn't see any game action but did motivate a trio of the starters -- Charlie, Bernard and Jin (NR)
Others, et al
(Look, I'm too lazy to assign positions to these guys. Feel free to speculate yourself.)
* Ben Linus -- More times than I'd like to admit I've punched my hand into my palm and gritted my teeth when I see this little bug-eyed freak. I hate him...until last night. Maybe he really isn't that bad? Maybe. It's obvious the Island is special and worth protecting. Too bad he couldn't have just come out and told Jack as much. And he did take his second or third severe beating in as many seasons. A surprisingly 'hard man.' (7.5)
* Mikhail Bakunin -- Oh Patchy. What a true acolyte to the Island. His commitment to the cause shows that there really is something brewing on that South Pacific paradise. It's safe to say that Patchy was the show's best signing during the January transfer window. Nearly indestructible, he pulled the most legitimately evil/bad ass move, swimming outside the Looking Glass station -- AFTER taking a spear gun to the chest -- oh wait -- AFTER gunning down two of his 'people' in cold blood -- and blowing up a grenade to kill Charlie. He's probably not even dead. Plus, let's give the producers some credit for showing his eye scar. Michael Biehn in the 'Abyss' would be proud. Rugg-ed. (9.0)
* Tom -- Mr. Friendly we hardly knew ye. I think Sawyer killed him, not for stealing Walt, but for his inability to toss an (American) football properly. His ultimate demise proved he really wasn't that tough. Shit, he couldn't even grow a real beard. Hopefully there is 'Con Air 2' in his future. (4.0, finale, 7.5 rest of series)
* Pryce and the rest of strike team Island -- Weak...but a surprisingly effective barbecue. Next time try sleeves, guy. (3.0)
* Rosseau/Alex -- The episode's one nearly crappy moment. "Alex this is your mother." It just didn't do it for me. Glad to see we finally found the radio tower. And Danielle's eerie statement about not leaving the Island proved some great foreshadowing for Jack. (5.0)
* Looking Glass chicks -- Umm...prior to the Island they were working as extras on the 'L Word', right? (4.0...letting Charlie get the drop on you? Should have stayed in Canada.)
* Richard Alpert -- Didn't do much, but did seem to have the ol' Ruskie Mikhail engaged in a rousing game of chess. Alpert, seemingly, figures to be a main player in the future. That whole not-aging thing, you know. (NR)
Overall, the Season 3 finale didn't answer a lot of things. But knowing there are about 50-odd more episodes to go, that's okay. I can wait. I got a lot of time on my hands.
Personally, this whole time loop/warp stuff carries a lot more interest than who the stupid Dharma Initiative were. Will the produces dump the flashback formula, which I say limits the show in a lot of ways, as fast forward to the 'future'? In doses, I hope. There is still a lot of history of the Island to explore. What's this business about a temple?!!
And finally, I've devised who in fact Jacob is -- the one and only David Icke, himself a master of the time loop.
_______________
One actual soccer note for a Thursday in May. The USSF released the Gold Cup roster. No surprises here. The UMSNT better note need penalty kicks to win it this time. Anyone up to a roadtrip to Gilette Stadium on June 16 for the quarterfinals?
Yes, the 'Lost' season three finale had it all, in spades. This was two hours of cracking television.
For a long time I've said that crash landing on the Island like the survivors would be the greatest thing in the world. Who wouldn't want to live there? Screw the 'monster' I'd just hang out on the beach and eat mangoes.
Instead of speculating on who the "he" Kate mentioned was. Or if that was really Walt talking to Locke in the Dharma pit, let's breakdown the finale in a soccer-ratings style.
Starters (Losties)
GK: Sayid Jarrah -- Can't you picture the Iraqi as one of those Middle Eastern keepers that play in sweatpants? His calming presence aides the Lost defense and his timely saves have bailed them out of many tight spots. In the finale, he made the most of his screen time when tested, blowing up dynamite, then breaking Jason's neck with a scissor-sweep that would have made Jack Bauer himself blush. Rating: 7 (out of 10)
LB: Desmond Hume -- A good left back is worth its weight in gold, much like the precognitive Scotsman. Maybe his performance in Wednesday's finale will convince SAF to plunk down some pound notes to bring his countryman to Old Trafford. Simply put, any time you shoot someone with a speargun, especially if that someone is a scumbag in an eyepatch, you get a gold star in my book. Rating: 7.0
CB: James Ford -- The man known as Sawyer had the line of the season when he shot Tom, which I admit, caused me to jump off my couch. "That's for taking the kid off the raft." Rating: 8.5
CB: Hugo Reyes -- A Sawyer/Hurley central defensive pairing works in a way similar to Han Solo and Chewbacca, as these two might be the most underrated pairing on the show. Again, Hugo showed a Malidini-esque commitment to the Beach (Milan), driving the Dharma van right over the Others commando leader, Pryce, a poor man's Bennett from the movie 'Commando.' Hurley is hardcore. Rating: 9.0
RB: Bernard -- Sometimes teams are stuck playing a guy that can't play right back at right back. Yes, Bernard the dentist, did shoot his dynamite like (John) Rambo, but he also was willing to wither to the Others' demands at gunpoint. So in that regard, he made some strong contributions to the attack, but got caught out of position on defense and cost the team. Rating: 5.0
LM: Juliette Burke -- Like it or not, we've got to accept her as a Lostie. Perhaps we'll even get a gratuitous bikini shot of her next season (I think it is written into all the females contracts). In the finale, again she lied about the guns. And when she showed up to 'rescue' Jin, Sayid and Bernard she didn't really do anything. Still, she ran her heart out for the 90 minutes and didn't exactly make any mistakes except for being overtly cautious. Rating: 5.0
CDM: John Locke -- Looks like Locke will be the one 'protecting' the Island in the next few seasons, just like a defensive midfielder protects his backline. In the finale Locke appeared paralyzed again, but found the power to drive on for the full 90 minutes thanks to Walt. The knife in the back of City-supporting Naomi, a good, hard tackle, no? His one mistake, again it was proven he wasn't a killer and couldn't stop Jack from making the fateful call off the island. Rating: 6.5 (That one mistake was huge.)
AM: Jack Sheppard -- For better or worse, Jack in the fulcrum that drives the show, much like Steven Gerrard drives Liverpool FC. (Unsure on the King of the Scousers thoughts on 90s alt-rock.) Neither players had Wednesdays to remember, Jack screwing up his live leaving the Island; Stevie G. in the Champions League final. As an attacking player Jack simply runs with his head down too much, putting too much pressure on himself to make the plays and carry the team on his back, when passing to an open teammate would suffice.
Good call by a certain Shaquilino comparing Jack to Brett Favre, except I don't see Peter King fawning over Jack. In the end, Jack's massive blunder cost his team a victory. Rating: 4.5
RM: Kate Austen -- Kate is flashy, and draws a lot of looks, sort of like a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. And believe it or not, Ronaldo has the occasional bad game, much like Kate did in the finale. She didn't really do much, ok, she circled around to make sure Ben was alone. Then in the 'future' she crush Jack yet again. What's next, getting her Canuck-teeth shaved down? Rating: 5.0
SS: Charlie Pace -- There really isn't any connection to playing a supporting striker and Charlie, a one-time pop-chart topping singer. However, Dominic Monaghan is a Manchester United supporter so I figure he must love Wayne Rooney. Both aren't very tall. So there you have it. Again, I'll admit, Charlie was never an Island favorite per say, yet his death did get me a little misty eyed. Must have been when he crossed himself. You are everybody, indeed. Rating: 8.0
CF: Jin-Soo Kwon -- Time after time on the Island (and its surrounding waters) Jin has proven he's the ultimate team player. He's so underrated it's not even funny. In the finale he goofed and missed a clear chance at goal, misfiring on the dynamite. Still, he managed to poke home the rebound, narcing out two of the Others with his nine. The Republic of Korea international was even ready to take a bullet to save his wife and the rest of the beach camp. That my friends is a guy you want on your team. Rating: 6.5
Reserves (Losties)
* Walt -- Came off the pine after and extended layoff and buried his one chance. If it was really Walt, or just a ghost, who knows? Definitely one of the episodes many highlights. (8.0)
* Karl -- Didn't see any action, but appears to have transferred to the beach camp. (NR)
* Naomi -- Who the hell is she? Knifed down in cold blood by Locke for what was tantamount to an own goal. (4.5)
* Sun/Claire/Rose -- Reduced to background players, didn't see any game action but did motivate a trio of the starters -- Charlie, Bernard and Jin (NR)
Others, et al
(Look, I'm too lazy to assign positions to these guys. Feel free to speculate yourself.)
* Ben Linus -- More times than I'd like to admit I've punched my hand into my palm and gritted my teeth when I see this little bug-eyed freak. I hate him...until last night. Maybe he really isn't that bad? Maybe. It's obvious the Island is special and worth protecting. Too bad he couldn't have just come out and told Jack as much. And he did take his second or third severe beating in as many seasons. A surprisingly 'hard man.' (7.5)
* Mikhail Bakunin -- Oh Patchy. What a true acolyte to the Island. His commitment to the cause shows that there really is something brewing on that South Pacific paradise. It's safe to say that Patchy was the show's best signing during the January transfer window. Nearly indestructible, he pulled the most legitimately evil/bad ass move, swimming outside the Looking Glass station -- AFTER taking a spear gun to the chest -- oh wait -- AFTER gunning down two of his 'people' in cold blood -- and blowing up a grenade to kill Charlie. He's probably not even dead. Plus, let's give the producers some credit for showing his eye scar. Michael Biehn in the 'Abyss' would be proud. Rugg-ed. (9.0)
* Tom -- Mr. Friendly we hardly knew ye. I think Sawyer killed him, not for stealing Walt, but for his inability to toss an (American) football properly. His ultimate demise proved he really wasn't that tough. Shit, he couldn't even grow a real beard. Hopefully there is 'Con Air 2' in his future. (4.0, finale, 7.5 rest of series)
* Pryce and the rest of strike team Island -- Weak...but a surprisingly effective barbecue. Next time try sleeves, guy. (3.0)
* Rosseau/Alex -- The episode's one nearly crappy moment. "Alex this is your mother." It just didn't do it for me. Glad to see we finally found the radio tower. And Danielle's eerie statement about not leaving the Island proved some great foreshadowing for Jack. (5.0)
* Looking Glass chicks -- Umm...prior to the Island they were working as extras on the 'L Word', right? (4.0...letting Charlie get the drop on you? Should have stayed in Canada.)
* Richard Alpert -- Didn't do much, but did seem to have the ol' Ruskie Mikhail engaged in a rousing game of chess. Alpert, seemingly, figures to be a main player in the future. That whole not-aging thing, you know. (NR)
Overall, the Season 3 finale didn't answer a lot of things. But knowing there are about 50-odd more episodes to go, that's okay. I can wait. I got a lot of time on my hands.
Personally, this whole time loop/warp stuff carries a lot more interest than who the stupid Dharma Initiative were. Will the produces dump the flashback formula, which I say limits the show in a lot of ways, as fast forward to the 'future'? In doses, I hope. There is still a lot of history of the Island to explore. What's this business about a temple?!!
And finally, I've devised who in fact Jacob is -- the one and only David Icke, himself a master of the time loop.
One actual soccer note for a Thursday in May. The USSF released the Gold Cup roster. No surprises here. The UMSNT better note need penalty kicks to win it this time. Anyone up to a roadtrip to Gilette Stadium on June 16 for the quarterfinals?
Take a bow, son. I mean it, you have been immense.