If you're seeking the talkback forums for season finales to Grey's Anatomy or Heroes or House, you're going to be seriously disappointed. In addition to still being miffed at CBS' decision to ax Jericho (right at a final scene that doesn't deserve to be THE FINAL scene), mixed emotions abound regarding the season finales of 24 and Lost, my two favorite regular network dramas.
There is a consensus that season six of 24 was a letdown, especially after the break-through brilliance that was season five. The problem may be that 24's producers and writers were too complacent, lazy and taking for granted the viewers' loyalties. They hit a brick wall finally. What else can you do in a 24-hour timeline to prompt Jack Bauer to again save the world? In the 24 universe (over six seasons) we've already seen America nuked twice, three constitutional crises, the presidency change hands - what, five times? - more of those dastardly moles, more of the infamous Islamic/Russian villains, and more compromises of security at what is supposed to be one of the safest government compounds in the world. And not to mention, if Jack Bauer is still around, Los Angeles simply is screwed. Over and over and over again.
The season finale was pretty much what I expected: Lots of explosions, formerly sullied good guys getting shots at redemption, and the bad guys - in this case, Jack's demented dad and Cheng - gettin' theirs in the end. Then the nausea-inducing unnecessary melodrama seeps into the fray: Milo's brother suddenly showing up and gathering his belongings at CTU. Mike Doyle getting his eyes blotted out by an explosion, only to have Nadia tear up over his injury. And then Chloe's fainting spell, which only prompted recollections of Teri Bauer's dance with amnesia, Kim's plight from the cougar and Martha Logan going "The Burning Bed" on her estranged hubby. Ewwww....
If there was one redeeming quality, it was Jack venting his frustrations on Heller and bidding farewell to Audrey (goodluck, Kim Raver, I won't really miss you). Then Jack - always morose, emotionally scarred Jack - staring out into the ocean above jagged rocks as the final seconds of the day tick away...with a gun in his hand.
So, what does season seven hold for us? Hopefully something better. Anything BUT more nukes or some other weapon of mass destruction. Anything BUT another threat to Southern California. Anything BUT another political crisis at the White House or presidential retreat. Anything BUT more moles. Anything BUT more Russian and Muslim villains. Anything BUT more stilted, contrived dialogue. Anything BUT more romantic interests for Jack Bauer. Some viewers have talked of going to another city and being simpler with the plot.
After all, the first season revolved merely around the threat to assassinate a presidential candidate. Others have talked of a prequel, where we get to see Tony and Michelle again. And Mason and Chappelle. And of course Teri and Nina. Or how about Jack getting stuck in L.A. traffic during a firestorm. Hell, that'll be more realistic. Or Jack meeting Jason Bourne, James Bond and John McClane for a battle royale of bad-ass mofos. Anything BUT season six again.
As for Lost, what can you say...but holy frak! The finale was a game-changer for all involved. Just when you think you have some things figured out, there are more questions and juicier plot twists. I have often heard from other people who initially saw Lost and enjoyed it, now saying "Lost" lost them. That the twists, quasi-sci-fi meanderings and mysteries confused them too much.
To that I respond: Big deal. TV viewers generally are fickle souls. They want their problems solved and villains disposed within one hour each week. Against a backdrop of idiotic, surreastic, neuron-wasting shows, Lost is the thinking fan's program. It makes you wonder and theorize. Not just about the time/space continuum, quantum physics, parallel universes and metaphysics. But about the characters that are basically household words now. About their plights and fates. About the unfolding storylines that sprawl and involve every human being on an island in the middle of nowhere, who are now engaged in a battle that takes its cue from the age of enlightenment, hippie pseudo-philosophy and modern-day emotional struggles.
The finale was bloody. The 815ers got their revenge finally on The Others. Jack Shepherd at long last shed his inhibitions about pro-action and kicked some serious glutimus maximus. In this case, Ben Linus getting beaten to a bloody pulp. Or Jack's plan to blow up some Others, which more or less worked. Ultimately, virtually everyone had an important part to play and created his or her own heroic legacy: Hurley, Sawyer, Juliet, Sayid, Desmond and even Charlie. Oh yes, poor Charlie. Desmond saw into the future, and saw you had to die, bruthah! And he did, but not before accomplishing his task. At last, Sauron and the ring were destroyed and the shire was saved ... oops, wait, wrong Dominic Monaghan work. Sorry. But don't feel bad for DM in real life. I'm sure he'll pop up on the island somewhere in the future. Hell, Boone has. And so has Walt. Freakin' Waaallttt! And if the tabloids are correct, he and Evangeline Lilly are hooking up. Those hobbits can be tricksy.
Flashbacks may still linger in the storyline, but even better will be the flash-forwards! So we know that Jack and Kate make it off the island. Who will else will make it? Who else will "die"? What other secrets will the Dharma Initiative reveal? Is Ben truly a bad guy? And where the hell are smoky and the polar bear in all this? Can't frigging wait for next winter. That'll be definitely busy with a double shot return of Lost and Battlestar Galactica. 24 producers, take notice: Lost is rocking. They know how to do mythical/semi-action drama right! Take notes!
