Now that I have had a few hours to let the Lost series finale sink in, I’m torn. I feel uplifted, because ultimately it was a happy ending. But I also feel sad; that the series is over, certainly, but sadder still that so many questions about Island mythology will remain unanswered. More about that later.

(Spoiler alert…do not read further if you haven’t watched the finale yet…)

Emotionally, I thought the finale tied everything up in a neat bow. It was wonderful to see most everyone paired up with the ones they loved the most at the end. The Jack-Kate-Sawyer love triangle was finally resolved in a satisfying way, and Sawyer and Juliet finding each other again is what we all wanted to see. My wife and I shed a lot of happy tears throughout the 2.5 hour extravaganza.

It was also brilliant how the producers were able to explain Sideways World. For six seasons they have been denying that the Island has anything to do with Purgatory. Technically, that is true: the Island didn’t have anything to do with Purgatory. That Sideways World was, indeed, a Limbo/Purgatory was a brilliant way for them to hide a key plot point, in plain sight! A loophole, if you will.

I went into the finale thinking the writers were going to merge Sideways World and the Island with some sort of nifty physics explanation by Daniel Farraday which included a lot of math scribbled in his little notebook, and possibly featuring Desmond as the catalyst – but this worked a lot easier than that. It also allowed them to include some beautifully shot flashback moments between the characters that put a satisfying emotional finish to this very special series.

While I enjoyed seeing Sayid reunited with Shannon, it was also a bit puzzling, since he spent his entire life pining for Nadia. I had almost forgotten their island romance, to be honest. That Shannon is Sayid’s one true love, after having spent so little time together, seemed a bit contrived. But, it was a nice way to reunite her with the cast and bring her brother Boone back for the finale, so I guess that’s why it happened.

The classic good vs. evil, Jack vs. MIB/Locke battle wasn’t as momentous as I expected; no black smoke coming out of Locke’s body at the end, but it got us to where we wanted to go. And seeing the True Locke forgiving Ben on his way into the church at the end was a nice touch.

I read so many Facebook status updates last night quoting Miles: “I don’t believe in a lot of things, but I believe in duct tape.” And speaking of Miles, “Welcome to the club,” he said plucking a gray hair from the head of a startled Richard Alpert. Looks like Richard’s immortality died with Jacob.

As usual, lots of religious allusions. Kate’s comment to Desmond outside the church: “Christian Shephard? Really?” And Locke on Jacob’s choice of Jack: “I expected to be more surprised. You’re kind of the obvious choice, don’t you think?” Not to mention Jack dying from a stab wound in his side, and checking that wound, ala Doubting Thomas.

I truly loved that the series ended as it began six years ago, with Jack lying down at the edge of the beach, near the bamboo forest. It was also sweet that Vincent, the dog, lay down with him at the end so he wouldn’t be alone, and seeing the Ajira Airways plane leaving the island reflected in Jack’s eyes was a fitting, and poetic end. I commend Lost for going out in style.

Questions…Questions….Questions….But what about the Island? What the heck is really at the bottom of that Spring? Who put it there? Will we ever really know?

What is with the ancient Tunisia/Island connection?

The statue, the hieroglyphics; what about all that, Lost producers?

Why does poor Aaron have to spend eternity as a baby? Just sayin’…

The chalice of wine that Jacob drank from with his “mother” when he took over guardianship of the island involved some sort of ritual chant. Jacob also chanted something, although it was less involved, when he gave Jack the cup to drink. Poor Hurley drank muddy puddle water out of an old water bottle, no chanting, barely any ritual significance. But the implication in the finale’s church scene was that he had a long and successful Island stewardship with Ben as his #2. So….what was with all the chanting? Geez.

Where is Locke’s love connection? The poor guy “moves on” alone, with all the people who didn’t exactly make his time on the Island a totally pleasant experience. His revelation, the key life moment which brought back his Island knowledge, was seeing his toes wiggle. That seems a little unfinished to me, for such a key character in the series.

Perhaps, we will get some explanations this August. Entertainment Weekly says a complete series DVD set with close to 2 hours of additional material will address many Losties questions. That will drop Tuesday, August 24, so look for it then in a video store near you.

I’d love your comments, so feel free to post your thoughts. Did you love it? Hate it? Let me know!

–Brian