I have figured out

[rivkat]

It's because the m.o. of everyone on the show is to not answer reasonable questions. Not even with tidbits like "I can't answer that because I don't know," or "I can't answer that because X will hurt me if I tell you." I like mysteries well enough, but I am such an academic that the idea of people willfully obstructing others' search for knowledge -- just for "power" or "control" instead of something understandable, like "so I won't get sent to jail for murder" -- grates on me like a rasp. If there is a larger project, the people in the know should explain it. What would be lost, except narrative tension, by explaining? As far as I can tell, the show has no diegetic reason that the Dharma bums should be so cryptic.

Now, I also dislike the Evil Overlord speech explaining all plans before the elaborately planned death. But that's because the Evil Overlord should just kill the heroes already. If, as is apparently the case, the Dharma bums have reason to keep the castaways alive, then they should explain already. There's a teeny chance that explaining might avert the need for all the elaborate cages. At least an explanation -- hell, even a plausible lie -- could divide the ranks.

So there's (1) a character problem -- I hate smug characters who won't explain, as if they deserve to know more than the rest of the world -- and, (2) I think, a writing problem -- I can't shake the feeling that there are no explanations forthcoming because the writers don't have any.

I feel better now! Bye, Lost!

Comments

[boji.livejournal.com]

I dumped lost when they opened the hatch at the end of Season One and faded to black like I'd been pretty sure they would. Damn shame too cos Josh Holloway is pretty frigging gorgeous but... I also didn't care about the characters enough and as a character driven viewer that is a problem.

[meret.livejournal.com]

I can't shake the feeling that there are no explanations forthcoming because the writers don't have any.

ITA! I loved it the 1st season, but quit watching several eps in on the 2nd season. While I like having some things being mysterious, I don't like watching a show where by the 2nd season nothing makes any sense to me still. Plus, I thought the show got really slow and boring after the first season too.

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

I quit about the same time you did and for about the same reason. A little too much glee at screwing with the viewers, a little too little of anything that would inspire me to trust the writers.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Lost = lost. I truly don't get the brouhaha. I was with them early on in season 1 with OMGWTFPOLARBEAR, and then... just the wtf remained.

[nullabona.livejournal.com]

Great insight. I dumped Lost early on when many of the writing choices started to feel like some of the later seasons of the X Files. Once is enough, thanks!

[chrome327.livejournal.com]

Yes - this - *pointing up*.

Oh XF - Such a pretty face, and in the end, nobody was home. You broke my fandom heart.

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Ah, XF. How much I loved you! How badly you hurt me! Maybe that's why SV is the only thing since to touch my heart -- it's much less about conspiracies and more about tragic arcs, so I can ignore a lot more stupidity and still enjoy it.

[chrome327.livejournal.com]

Sigh - *So* true.

SV was the best rebound ever after my tumultuous XF breakup. Fun & pretty, with harmless, amusing character flaws. Like dating a surfer after your divorce.

[Quotes Toni Braxton a little bit here]

[ter369.livejournal.com]

-- I can't shake the feeling that there are no explanations forthcoming because the writers don't have any.

They don't. Great high concept pitch, with no story goal except to stay on the air by having The Next Worst (Mysterious) Thing Happen.

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on Lost. I gave up on it mid-second season, for much the same reasons. It didn't seem as though any of the unanswered questions either would be answered or that the writers even knew the answer. Now, if I liked the characters enough, I would've stuck with it despite that. However, none of the characters really grabbed me. This makes me a little sad when I see people squeeing about last night's episode all over and I'm totally disinterested in hearing about it, but I'm not willing to put myself through the eyerolling frustration of no answers just so I can know what people are talking about.

[chasethecat.livejournal.com]

I watched up to 2.01, and then I watched the finale last season when the commercials were all "some big mystery will be revealed!", and I just can't do it. Some mystery is good, but an entire show of mystery, with no resolution EVER? Is just *frustrating*, and why would I watch tv if it's only going to frustrate me?

[niciasus.livejournal.com]

I disliked last season when they started over again with the new group and did away with some of the old. I wanted more info about the original characters.

I was ordered to watch the premiere ep last night and I did because hey, I had nothing else better to do. Jack interested me enough but I suspect if it wasn't for the discussion at work, I wouldn't have bothered watching.

[miche-connor.livejournal.com]

I think I am with you on this one. I am one of those people that .has. to read the end of the mystery first, and then go back to see how the author gets us there. Weird? Probably. I think I just can't stand not knowing, and when, as you say, "people willfully obstructing others' search for knowledge -- just for "power" or "control" instead of something understandable, like "so I won't get sent to jail for murder," Yup. That's me. I hate that sort of fake manipulation.

(Hehe, I got season 1 of buffy! Yay! Now, just to watch it.:)