24 May 2010

When you get what you wanted...

I know already that I'm going to be in the minority here. But...

I really enjoyed the Lost finale, and yes, I got it. The show about journeys of faith, trust and destiny came to a close. It walked a beautiful line, giving the first hour of great moments of redemption and beauty. People found their meaning and more importantly, those that they loved, and moved through with it.

The island is exactly what they said it was in Across the Sea... it is the light that is everything. If you snuff it, you snuff the world. I have a long winded theory about what the church scene meant, but its late and sleep is calling.

Lost left me with joy in my heart and a sense that I saw something come to its conclusion. There are threads unresolved, and those will soon enough annoy me, but right now, I have a smile and felt rewarded for being a fan.

20 May 2010

Linda Holmes over at NPR has a similar take to mine...

Just less bitchy... LINKY

Learn to Trust A Story Teller ... or ... Why I Want to Strangle Most of Fandom

So yes, on many levels, the title sounds like pot calling the kettle black, I know. If you have ever heard my thoughts on X-Men 3, you know I HATE miss-handled stories. The thing is, I waited till I saw the whole thing and *then* I shit all over it. I had problems with the way the story progressed as well as how ridiculous some of the things that happened were. It completely stepped away from what had been built in the first two movies and in general aborted the franchise.

Now... Lost... and yes... spoilers (and vitriol) may or may not abound... read at your own risk...

I love this show. It is everything that is brilliant about serialized story telling. You have to check your instant gratification at the door. It is the only way to truly enjoy it. If you want every answer ever, watch something else. The whole show is about faith ... faith and mysticism. Of course there will be things that aren't answered. If we have to explain to you what the light is about and why everything started, well, there are whole schools devoted to studying that degree of philosophy. Get the hell over yourself... everything isn't spoon fed... use your damn mind and think.

But more than anything... stop being pissed that they haven't answered everything. I've come to a point where I accept where the story is going... but I'm also a comic book guy. I am VERY comfortable with the idea that I won't get every answer right away, and really will only get the answers that matter. Some things will always stay a mystery. That's because the storyteller wanted it that way. We aren't talking the end of the Sopranos where it felt like they played a trick on the audience. We are talking about a show that has always been about mystery. Trust that the story tellers will take you where they want the story to go. They will resolve the major issues of the show, and if not, I too will light them up. Until then... let Cuse and Lindleof take you on the journey or get off the bus.

Things I've seen that drive me insane:
1. What will happen if Smokey leaves the island? Why is it bad? Well, they've kind of made that clear... the world will end. If he gets out, he's full blown evil. He gets off the island and he will destroy the world. If you need that made clearer, well, you are likely one of those people who spills hot coffee and is surprised it burns you.
2. What is this "infected"? Are you stupid? It isn't some kind of disease like cancer... they are referring to the idea that a person has been taken to the dark side. They just don't want to say it that way because it sounds silly. It's called a story device used to make something sound mysterious.
3. Why don't we know Smokey's name? Because. That's why. Eat it fan-boy... you don't get to know the name of the full embodiment of evil, if for no other reason than Cuse and Lindelof want to mess with you for being annoying... and I wouldn't put it past them.
4. What was the deal with Walt? Why did they drop his story? Well, he hit puberty harder than anyone saw coming. And well, not every turn in a TV show has a story reason. Sometimes people get a DUI and have to get killed off suddenly and that's the way that goes. Yep, there death didn't mean a thing... but the actor didn't give the show a choice.

Those are just some examples... and really... for so much of Lost fandom I have a simple message: (Camera 3 moment)

Shut up. Never talk again. Get the hell over yourself. Watch the show for what it is... entertainment. It's a freaking TV show. Watch it and let the story unfold. Stop being pissed that they made you think and explore your own ideas about why and who and what. They've answered most of the what the hell stuff... the whispers, why did Jack see his father, who were Adam and Eve, what is at the heart of the island, why did Jacob bring them to the island...


It is entertainment and meant to spark your mind to think about things. It isn't designed to spoon feed you everything you ever wanted to know. If you don't like where the story went, that I can talk to you about... but don't give me this shit about "why don't they tell me how everything works?" If you need that, well, I'm terrified at how you contemplate the reality of your own existence.

13 May 2010

Thoughts...

Random thoughts on a Thursday morning while I wait for data to calculate...

  • Comics: Well Seige has ended, wrapping up almost 3 years of Marvel storytelling. I feel the same way I did at the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths... felt good to find closure to the story. The book felt like a proper ending to something that pushed comics storytelling and reminded everyone why heroes are heroes. The redemption of Loki was especially cool. You realized that while he is full of mischief, that mischief is in the service of Odin and Asgard. Volstag also summed it perfectly... "All will pay for their sins this day"
  • Tabletop: I'm fully into Warmachine. It's just a better game. The rules are tightly written, the models have a unique and beautiful aesthetic, and it's just... well... fun. My Menoth army grows as new options come forward and I learn to enjoy all the different aspects of the army... perhaps Hordes will offer the same joy.
  • Longhorns: Baseball team is playing at an unfairly high level. Can't wait for the tournament to watch them.
  • Android: Damn you Sprint... the Droid Eris gets 2.1... why can't I have it for my Hero? It's the same damn phone.
  • Music: Listen to the Muse HAARP live disc... its Muse at their most Muse

10 May 2010

Because everyone needs a little motivation now and then...

Follow through
Make your dreams come true
Don't give up the fight
You will be alright
'Cause there's no one like you in the universe


Don't be afraid
What your mind conceives
You should make a stand
Stand up for what you believe
And tonight
We can truly say
Together we're invincible


During the struggle
They will pull us down
But please, please
Let's use this chance
To turn things around
And tonight
We can truly say
Together we're invincible


Do it on your own
It makes no difference to me
What you leave behind
What you choose to be
And whatever they say
Your souls unbreakable


During the struggle
They will pull us down
But please, please
Let's use this chance
To turn things around
And tonight
We can truly say
Together we're invincible
Together we're invincible


During the struggle
They will pull us down
Please, please
Let's use this chance
To turn things around
And tonight
We can truly say
Together we're invincible
Together we're invincible