Lawrence.com

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Well, ABC's sprawling Sci-Fi/Fantasy/bait-and-switch series Lost is over. And while I won't use cliches like "end of an era," in a way, I hope that it is. I hope that with Lost's conclusion network TV dramas regain their sanity and place focus more on grounded plotlines and believable characters.

Once again, Spoiler Alert

Lost's finale consisted of two storylines. The first took place on the island as Jack assumed his role as the new protector and set out on his plan to kill Smocke while Miles, Richard and Frank got the plane in flying condition.

Meanwhile in Bizarro World, Hurley and Desmond continued their mission of waking up the candidates, as they planned a final rendezvous at an undisclosed location.

While the on-island plot was urgent and involved some long overdue conflict between Smocke and the rest of the candidates, the events in Bizzaro World were far more evocative or emotionally manipulative, I can't tell which. As each candidate was reminded of their other life, the audience was treated with a flashback montage that distilled the essence of each character. And while that may have been an overt bit of fan service, it was still satisfying to be reminded of just how far the show has come.

The more resonant epiphanies tended to involve couples. Jin and Sun's self-realization was genuinely moving, as Daniel Dae Kim and Yunjin Kim successfully conveyed experiencing an entire life over the course of a few seconds. Likewise, Sawyer and Juliet's moment was long-overdue.

On the island, Jack's plan to stop Smocke worked, but left the island in peril and himself mortally wounded. His final scene with Kate and Sawyer was touching and his moment with Hurley hit hard, too.

But here's the problem with the finale: the final scene.

First off, the one positive: the contrast of the candidates joyously greeting each other, while Jack stumbled to his death and smiled as he saw the plane full of his friends fly home. That was powerful.

But it was completely negated by the final scene between Christian and Jack where we learn that the candidates have gathered in some ethereal place where everyone gets what they want and the decisions, suffering and emotional weight they (and thereby the audience) have accumulated over the last six seasons, is utterly meaningless.

Yes, you could interpret that as a philosophical statement about death and rebirth, a recurring theme in the show. Or you could see it as lazy writing and one last metaphysical cheap shot to give the audience a point to debate.

While the entire show was exquisitely produced and acted, it wasn't quite the swan song it could have been.

"Not leaving. Moving on."

No more predictions to make for future episodes, but I can always speculate on the future of the actors' careers.

Matthew Fox: With only one project even in development, according to IMDB, Fox will probably be off the radar for awhile. He's a fine dramatic actor, but his film choices have been less than stellar.

Fox has said outright that he's done with TV. When his bank account starts to get light, we'll see how serious that statement really is.

Josh Holloway: Holloway wants to do movies. He told Movieline recently he's giving it two years and then going back to TV, if the silver screen doesn't work out. Holloway kicked himself for missing out on a chance to cameo as Gambit in X-Men: The Last Stand.

It'd be great to see Holloway get hooked up with a director that would know how to use his inherent likability and good ole boy charm. Maybe Lost creator J.J. Abrams or Robert Rodriguez, two directors that have a way of making movies fun, even when they're not always great.

Naveen Andrews: Andrews got a great bit part in Rodriguez's underrated "Planet Terror." It'd be great to see him bring his vulnerability and temper to another movie character. Maybe a director like Alfonso Cuaron could make use of him.

Or he'll end up on 24 as a hero/villain within two years.

Evangeline Lilly: Lilly is starring in "Real Steel" a movie IMDB describes as, "A boxing drama set in the near-future where 2,000-pound robots that look like humans do battle." In other words, it's "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots: The Movie."

Like Fox, Lilly's also said no more TV. It looks like she won't be returning to her Live Links roots anytime soon.

Terry O'Quinn: O'Quinn wants to do another show with Michael Emerson for ABC about hitmen that live in the suburbs. Past that, who knows. O'Quinn's been a bit character in movies, but it looks like he's ready to settle into something more regular.

Michael Emerson: See above.

Jorge Garcia: Garcia has roots in comedy, so it'd be good to see him return to that. His role on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" was memorable enough to get him his part on "Lost," in the first place.

Daniel Dae Kim: A cast member with multiple projects in the works! Kim is already cast in the TV remake of "Hawaii Five-O" as Detective Chin Ho Kelly. He's also in the upcoming Matt Damon Sci-Fi movie "The Adjustment Bureau," which is based on a Philip K. Dick story.

Yunjin Kim: The show's other Kim is actually quite famous in her native South Korea, so she can always get work back home. In the meantime, she's got a role in "The Unconditional," a movie in preproduction with scant details.

Nestor Carbonell: Smokey-eyed Carbonell is the voice of Leeu in "Noah's Ark: The New Beginning." His other show on CBS got cancelled during its first season, so he's probably waiting on Christopher Nolan to finish the Batman 3 script. Maybe he can reprise his role as the mayor.

And that's it for Lost

But there's always Breaking Bad, Treme, The Tudors and Party Down...