I have been wondering what ...
Question: I have been wondering what your thoughts were on the Nov. 9 episode of
Lost. I haven't seen any talk about it and I am wondering if I am the only one who is mad about it. I have to admit that I disliked Shannon at first, but the character started to grow on me, especially after she and Sayid got together. Now she's gone. Why kill Shannon right after Boone? It just seems too easy. Can you help me understand this one, Matt?
Answer: I was traveling on business last week and wasn't able to see the episode until the weekend, by which time I knew exactly what was going to happen (I'd known for weeks who would bite the dust, courtesy of working here, where there are few secrets and spoilers kept, regardless of how hard you try). Even so, I thought it was pretty powerful stuff, as I almost always do where
Lost is concerned. For an explanation of "why," pick up the Nov. 21 issue of TV Guide. You may not agree with their reasoning, but it worked for me. Someone's gotta die — they've made that clear — and Shannon's exit may have been made more effective (as in: tragic) by the writers humanizing her, both in the relationship with Sayid and in her flashbacks. If a death on
Lost had no impact, it would mean the show was failing in the area where it arguably works best: in its character development, something this show does better than anything else I can think of on TV.
Lisa also wrote in to express her unhappiness in losing Shannon and Maggie Grace from the show. An excerpt: "When Boone died, it was tragic but I was OK with his end, especially knowing that Shannon was still on the island so we could learn more about Boone through her (and we did get to see a bit more of Ian Somerhalder in last week's Shannon backstory). Now it seems as though we won't really be able to learn much about these two characters anymore (although it is J.J., so anything is possible). I did and didn't like the way Shannon was killed. I thought it was interesting to have Ana Lucia shoot her, thinking she was one of the "others." And how this horrible accident brings everyone to the same side of the island. That should allow for some good tension. And I'm always up for that, but Shannon didn't get to say goodbye. Boone at least got an episode to say goodbye. Obviously, life on the island will go on and there is no way I'm going to stop watching, but I just wanted to put it out there that someone was upset to see Shannon go. And since I just realized that this wasn't actually a question, let me ask you: How did you feel about Shannon's death?"
I'm at peace, especially knowing there will be consequences as the tribes merge in next week's episode.
