Tag: time travel

Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the top 5 heart-warming moments from “Lost”

It’s Throw-Back Sunday TV Fans! I hope you are enjoying your weekend and wish you all the best for the upcoming holiday season.  Since it is that time of year, I started thinking about heart-warming moments from some of my favorite television shows.  For today, I am going to be counting down the top 5 heart-warming moments from Lost.  When you think of something heart-warming, what comes to mind?  According to the dictionary, it means something that is “emotionally rewarding or uplifting.”  Synonyms include:  “touching, moving, heartening, stirring, uplifting, pleasing, cheering, gladdening, encouraging, gratifying.”

So now that we know what it means, how does that translate for you into a single moment? I feel like different moments portrayed by our beloved characters on television impact us all in some way or another.  While some moments seem more heart-breaking than heart-warming, the line between these two often blurs if it has a glimmer of hope or happiness.  For me, it has to be a moment that truly resonates with me and stands the test of time.  Whether it is a particular dialogue that had meaning for me or a demonstration of unconditional love, the moment has to bring tears and a smile at the same time.  Sounds difficult to achieve, right?

What I love about heart-warming moments is that they bring out an array of emotions in us, but ultimately remind us of the importance of true connections with one another.  Sometimes a small act of kindness can have more of an impact than a grand gesture.  I think it’s important to remember that when we come across anyone who may be in need of some uplifting themselves.  What we do matters and our actions and words can truly make a difference.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not yet watched the series.

My top 5 heart-warming moments from Lost are:

5

Sawyer tells Jack about his conversation with Christian.

“And this guy, Christian, tells me he wishes he had the stones to pick up the phone, call his kid, tell him he’s sorry, that he’s a better doctor than he’ll ever be—he’s proud, and he loves him.” (Sawyer from episode Exodus part I)

What makes this moment truly heart-warming for me is that Sawyer has been trying so hard to make others hate him.  This takes place in season 1 and Sawyer is carrying quite a bit of emotional baggage around.  He goes out of his way to challenge Jack with every chance he gets and the two have somewhat of a rivalry throughout the whole show.  They are both initially in love with the same woman, Kate, and are both looked to as leaders by the group.  Initially, Sawyer proves that he is a man out for himself.  He keeps a stash of supplies hidden and refuses to help out just to do the right thing.  Jack, on the other hand, is selfless in his actions.  He attempts to motivate the Flight 815 survivors and embarks on several adventures because he knows they are counting on him.  However, Jack is not perfect either.  Before he got on Flight 815, he had traveled to Sydney, Australia to recover his father’s body.  Jack’s relationship with his father, Christian, was very complicated.

Christian frequently told Jack that he didn’t have what it takes and that he had trouble letting go.  When Jack arrives on the island, he begins even seeing his dead father roaming around the island, forcing his fears and insecurities to the surface.  Jack has always been under the impression that he wasn’t good enough, but when Sawyer shares this conversation with him, he is truly impacted and even sheds a tear.  Jack did have what it takes and his father was very proud of him.  They were both just too stubborn to admit this and unfortunately Christian died before ever sharing this with his son.  Throughout the series, we learn that many of the Losties have crossed paths before they stepped onto the plane and their lives and decisions are intertwined.  Sawyer’s decision to let Jack know about this proves that he truly is a good person deep down and recognizes the importance of family and friendship.

4

Jack passes the torch to Hurley.

“It was only supposed to be me so I can do this. But if someone has to take care of the island, if someone has to protect it…then it should be you Hurley.  I believe in you.” (Jack from episode The End)

Fans were not surprised when Jack stepped up to volunteer to become the candidate who would take Jacob’s place to protect the island.  Jack has always reacted quickly and made tough decisions for the greater good.  However, when he ultimately passes the torch to fan-favorite, Hurley, this was a truly touching and heart-warming moment.  Throughout the series, Hurley demonstrates that he wears his heart on his sleeve.  He always tries to make others laugh and help out, even when he is told he’ll just get in the way.  Jack and everyone else recognize that Hurley’s gift is taking care of others which is why this moment is so beautiful.

Hurley always had trouble believing in himself and now he has to face his fear and embrace this important responsibility.  He tells Jack that he will only do it temporarily until he gets back, but will ultimately become the permanent protector of the island.  Hurley was capable of being a leader all along; he just needed to believe it.  Jack’s belief in him gives him the courage to unleash his potential.

3

Charlie and Claire have imaginary peanut butter together.

“I remember peanut butter.  Why do I remember peanut butter?” (Claire from episode Homecoming)

For me, this is one of the most iconic and romantic moments on the show.  When Charlie and Claire are first starting to get to know one another, she is revealed to be very pregnant, but Charlie isn’t scared off by her in the slightest.  Their friendship and budding romance has an innocent quality and allows viewers to feel young again.  When Charlie asks Claire if there is anything she craves or misses, she admits that she is “the only Australian who loves peanut butter.”

Charlie is disappointed when he cannot initially find any, but he doesn’t give up here.  He shows up with an empty jar and pretends that it is filled with peanut butter.  The two sit on the beach and enjoy the imaginary peanut butter together, laughing and gazing at each other with joy.  What I love about this moment is that everyone around them is worrying, while Charlie and Claire take a small moment to have some fun and forget about the chaos for just a little while.

2

Penny answers Desmond’s call after 8 years.

“I won’t call for eight years.  December 24, 2004.  Christmas Eve.  I promise.  Please, Pen.” (Desmond from episode The Constant)

Seems like a lot to ask of someone, right?  Desmond and Penny have broken up, but he shows up on her doorstep and tells her that she can’t change her number and that she must answer his call 8 years later.  Even I would think that person is absolutely crazy.  It’s not like Desmond can exactly explain that his mind is traveling between times and that Penny is the key to saving his life.  Desmond and Penny’s love has always been something epic and timeless.  They are frequently separated but refuse to give up on one another.  They teach us that true love does exist but that it doesn’t always work out so perfectly.  Penny and Desmond both make mistakes along the way, but ultimately end up together because they never stop believing in their love for one another.  It’s a powerful and undeniable bond that cannot be broken.

When Desmond snaps back into the current time, he dials Penny’s number on the freighter.  It rings several times as fans were on the edge of their seats, wondering if she would answer after all this time.  When Penny does answer the phone, Desmond’s memory and mind are healed and she reminds him that she won’t give up on him.  Very similar to true love’s kiss from fairy-tales, this moment reminds us that having someone you love stick by you can help you overcome any challenge or impossible task.  You just need to believe in it.

1

Vincent stays with Jack so he is not alone.

But if we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone.” (Jack from episode White Rabbit)

While I admit that I probably have shed more tears than smiles in this moment, there is something truly uplifting and heart-warming about this last scene on the show.  Jack is dying after he has sacrificed himself to re-light the island and is wandering through the same bamboo forest he did when he first woke up here after his flight crashed.  To bring everything full circle, Jack lies down and looks at the sky, waiting for the end to come.

A familiar bark is heard and Walt’s dog, Vincent appears by his side and lies down next to him.  As an animal lover myself, this moment really resonated with me.  The unconditional love a dog has for a companion is something that is truly special.  When Jack’s eye closes, similar to when his eye opened in the beginning of the series, he knows that his words held true.  He is not alone.  He never was.  He helped his friends and he made a difference that will stand the test of time.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post some of your own favorite heart-warming moments from Lost below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the seasons of “Lost” from best to worst: “We have to go back!”

Happy Sunday TV Fans!  For today’s throw-back Sunday, I am going to be ranking the seasons of Lost from best to worst.  I have to admit that this took longer than I anticipated because each season has so much to offer.  We watch the characters we have come to know and love grow and change, while the island continues to reveal new mysteries and challenges along the way.

Each season has its own set of heart-warming and shocking moments, refusing to allow the viewer to take a break for even an episode or you might just become lost yourself…pun intended.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

3

“We have to go back, Kate! We have to go back!” Jack (Through the Looking Glass part 2)

From the first time watching the series up until my 16th re-watch, season 3 remains my absolute favorite but I do admit that some seasons come very close to knocking it out of the number one spot.  Season 3 introduces us to the others.  Yes, the others are coming or they came and we want to know what they are all about, right?  At the end of season 2, Sawyer, Jack, and Kate have been captured by the others.  They take them to Hydra Island and keep Jack locked up in the Hydra station while keeping Sawyer and Kate locked up in cages.  Not only do we get to learn more about the others and see things from their perspective, but we are introduced to Dr. Juliet Burke who brings a new dynamic to the show.  While it seems like Ben is calling the shots, Juliet proves to be an other who is just as home-sick as the rest of the losties and even risks her place as an “other” to help save Kate and Sawyer becoming more of a friend than a foe.

Ben has stepped out of his role of “Henry Gale” and proves to be a worthy opponent, and Desmond can now see the future and tells Charlie that he is going to die.  For me, what sets season 3 above the rest is the fast pace of it.  After watching the show so many times, I still have to sit on the edge of my seat watching this one in particular and tend to binge-watch this one more than the others.  There aren’t as many filler episodes and one episode leads into the next seamlessly.  Some of the greatest episodes in the entire series for me are in this season as well such as “Flashes before your eyes” and “Greatest Hits.”  While this may or may not be your favorite season, most fans will agree that it is one of the best, as we learn that all bets are off.  Flash forwards now exist and the Losties or at least some of them do get off the island.  Talk about a cliff-hanger for a season finale!

5

“Has it occurred to any of you that your buddy’s actually gonna cause the thing he says he’s trying to prevent?  Perhaps that little nuke is the incident?  So maybe the best thing to do…is nothing?” Miles (The Incident)

Season 5, like season 3, is full of lots of action and introduces the concept of time travel.  At the end of season 4, Ben moves the wheel to save the island, only the wheel is off its axis, causing the island to skip through time like a broken record.  Locke has to then leave the island himself to get it back on course, which causes Sawyer, Juliet, Miles, and Jin to remain trapped in Dharmaville time.  You may think that the time travel aspect is confusing or that it’s been done too many times, but what makes this season truly great is that it separates the characters for a period of three years and then they are all reunited again on the island bringing chaos and challenges along the way.

The season 5 finale, “The Incident” is one of my favorite episodes of the series giving the losties another chance to reset time to before Flight 815 crashed.  But this would mean that some of them may have never met which could sever relationships and friendships for good.  So is it the right thing to do?  The end of the season reveals that Juliet has survived momentarily and takes it upon herself to detonate the hydrogen bomb to save Sawyer and give him a chance.  Rather than the typical fade out into a black screen, the screen flashes white and I remember screaming at my television the first time watching, impatiently waiting to see what happened next.

1

“Last week most of us were strangers, but we’re all here now. And god knows how long we’re going to be here. But if we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone.” Jack (White Rabbit)

The pilot of season 1 is full of never-ending action, introducing the viewer to an overabundance of characters among a whirlwind of horrible events.  As season 1 continues, Lost reveals that it is a show about much more than what the smoke monster is or who the other people are on the island.  Don’t get me wrong, the scene where Kate is counting to 5 hiding from the smoke monster in the rain-soaked bamboo is terrifying and hooked me immediately.

However, the show transforms into something more with each episode.  It’s about the people who crashed there and what their lives were like before.  While some were criminals, others were alone or searching for something more, creating an undeniable connection between the characters and the viewer.  We can find so much of ourselves in the decisions or mistakes they made, and they are given a chance at a clean slate to get a new life and survive together.

2

“Please don’t give up, Des. Because all we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. And you have her. I will wait for you. Always.” Penny (Live together, die alone)

Season 2 opens up with us finding out what is in the hatch that Locke was so desperate to get into.  Was it his destiny?  Maybe, but what’s truly interesting about the hatch is what, or I should say who, is inside.  Desmond Hume has been living in the hatch for 3 years pressing a sequence of familiar numbers every 108 minutes to save the world.  To Hurley’s dismay, the code is 4 8 15 16 23 42, the very numbers that he won the lottery with that he is convinced are cursed.

Desmond initially appears to be quite mad in the opening episodes, but later returns and becomes one of the most influential characters on the show.  It is also revealed that there were survivors from Flight 815 in the tail section, which include the introduction of new characters such as Ana Lucia and Libby along with a beautiful reunion between Rose and her husband, Bernard.  Michael switches sides and betrays the losties, killing Ana Lucia and Libby in the process and helping the others capture Jack, Hurley, Kate, and Sawyer.  Although we are sympathetic with Michael trying to help his son, his actions are unforgivable and horrifying.  Meanwhile, Locke believes the prisoner, Henry Gale that the numbers and the hatch aren’t real and just some experiment.  Desmond returns to make the connection that he is what crashed Flight 815 and that it’s all very real, leading to the infamous “system failure” scene, where the hatch begins to self-destruct and Desmond turns the fail-safe key to sacrifice himself to save them all.  While the action is there, season 2 lacks the fast and natural pace that seasons 3 and 5 have, as some filler episodes are trying a little too hard to reveal back stories and force connections.

6

“You were all flawed.  I chose you because you were like me.  You were all alone.  You were all looking for something that you couldn’t find out there.  I chose you because you need this place as much as it needed you.” Jacob (What They Died For)

Season 6 is the final season of the Lost series and many fans have revealed that this is the most controversial season, especially the ending.  After watching the series so many times, I do still appreciate everything the writers did in this last season.  I think that the forces of good and evil face off in a powerful match between Jack and the man in black, wearing John Locke’s face.  The writers kill of characters we have come to love and bring us into another world or dimension, something that cannot be explained by time or reality.

Christian later explains to Jack that “there is no here, now.”  The flash sideways we see are a way for the losties to find one another and to ultimately move on.  Once again, this season proves to be very much about the characters and the connections they made along the way.  While it may be lacking something final or epic, it brings closure and allows the island to be embraced by Hurley as the new Jacob to take care of others the way he always has and to lead the island in a new way.  The series ends with Jack’s eye closing, bringing everything full circle, reminding us that life may be finite, but what we do and the memories and connections we hold dear to our hearts, last eternally.

4

“If there’s any part of you that still believes in us, just give me your number.” Desmond (The Constant)

Season 4 is my least favorite of all the seasons but not for lack of great material and drama.  This was during the writer’s strike so this is the shortest of all of the seasons so perhaps that is why it falls short for me.  However, it has some great episodes, including one of my favorites, “The Constant.”  Flash-forwards continue as it is revealed to us who the “Oceanic Six” are and new characters from the freighter are introduced such as Daniel Faraday, Miles, Charlotte, and Frank.

While they initially arrive claiming they are there to help rescue the losties, it is clear they have another agenda which includes capturing the scheming, Ben Linus and returning him to Charles Widmore.  More secrets are revealed, including how to move the island and what a 14-J is, but there just aren’t enough of them to rank this season toward the top.  Either way, the show would not be complete without all of these seasons, proving time and time again why it is such an epic and memorable series.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your comments and thoughts on some of your favorite seasons of Lost.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl