thanks!

This is without a doubt the nerdiest thing I've ever done. In honor of the final weeks of LOST, I wanted to look back on some of the scenes that made the series so great (that coupled with my insatiable pretentious need to do lists). I will truly be sad when this series ends. Never before has a tv show made me think more about... well, anything this much. So, ok, join me on my seriously dorky look back at Lost:

5. Desmond Calls Penny

Desmond is without a doubt one of Lost's all-time badass characters. In addition to having the best catch phrases (and an awesome scottish accent), his story with Penny is one of Lost's most compelling. There's a good chance the fourth season episode "The Constant" is my favorite of the series. Suffering from conscious time traveling (that's literally the only way I know how to describe it) - Desmond must find a "constant" - something or someone of importance to him in both time periods so that he can merge the two timelines. After a longtime estrangement with Penny, Desmond seeks her out in 1996 and begs her to answer a phone call he will make 8 years from then. Definitely one of Lost's most heart swelling moments.

4. Charlie Hanged



Throughout the length of this series, I've had the most mixed feelings towards Jack. I've had my ups and downs with him, however at this point in the sixth season - I can honestly say Jack is my favorite character. The qualities which had once occasionally annoyed me, are the same qualities that I now love about him. His evolution throughout the series has been absolutely fascinating. We originally think of him as just the natural leader, until it is revealed that he actually has a desperate need to fix everything and everyone. This scene from the first season remains one of his best, as he wills Charlie back to life by sheer force after refusing to accept defeat.

3. Juliet Down the Pit



I was hoping I could find a clip of the full scene, complete with Jack dropping the bomb. It's a classic Lost conundrum of a character having to make a major decision based entirely off a gigantic leap of faith (which in turn will have extreme consequences). The last time he was on the island, the man of science had mocked John Locke's sentiments on destiny, backing his belief that everything can be explained logically - there is no such thing as fate. This time around, Jack is now ready to believe that setting off this bomb is his destiny. He can't explain why, but he is sure this is what he has to do. This sequence of events leads to the death of Juliet (one of my all-time favorite characters), and a heart wrenching exchange between her and Sawyer before she falls.

2. The Hatch Lights Up



I'm pretty sure this scene, next to the "Don't tell me what I can't do!" from Walkabout, undoubtedly solidified my love for this show. John Locke is one of the most pitiful characters I've ever heard of. He is a man of faith, he believes in destiny, he wants to see the good in people, and everyone shits on him ALL THE TIME. The next time you ask yourself why nothing ever seems to go your way, please consider John Locke. This scene, featuring an outrageous performance from Terry O'Quinn and accompanied by a fantastic score, is one of the most heartbreaking scenes of the series.

**I want to also do an honorable mention on the scene from season 2 when Desmond contemplates killing himself before he hears Locke pounding on the hatch and turns the light on. I love that, in a way, they both saved each other that night - but neither has any idea.

1. WE HAVE TO GO BACK!



This was it. This was when Lost became something completely different entirely. I'm not sure any moment in a movie or a tv show has shocked me more than this revelation. The show had been following the formula of flashbacks throughout the first three seasons, in it's third season finale we are shown a very dark time in Jack's life. He drinks way too much, is addicted to oxycodone, and has a sexy beard. He's so miserable he's at the point where he wants to kill himself. In the final scene of season three, we learn that these flashbacks are not actually from the past - but rather they are what becomes of Jack's life after he leaves the island. I seriously almost threw up from shock when I realized what was happening.

I seriously hate finding old notebook/diaries that I used to write in when I was younger. They're not so much cute to read as they are just overwhelmingly mortifying. I only started actually having an ok personality around the time I hit college (and it ain't even that great now, amirite?). Before all that, I was a pretty awkward/unfunny individual. So back on topic, every once in awhile I'll stumble upon some old notebook I used to write in and it's always a cringe-worthy experience trying to flip through it. I used to have a terrible habit of starting a short story and then get about 4-5 pages in and just stop. You flip to the next page and there's just a different story there, but sometimes I'll just draw a big X at the bottom of the page - what I can only take to mean "hmm... this isn't working".

To give you a sample of the type of shit that used to actually come out of my brain, I recently found one particular notebook from 1999 (making me about 11 years old at the time).

Here's a letter-inside-a-story that I wrote for a short aptly titled "Paradise Island":

Dear Ms. Smith,

We would like to inform you about a new discovery in fun. It's called Paradise Island. It's where kids that are around your age can stay for summer vacation, but then you come back in time for school to start. The best part is it's absolutely free. Included is a map of how to get there and for any other information please call 1-800-Paradise-Island. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Martin McGrath
Manager and Founder of Paradise Island

I included a MAP showing you how to get there. A DISCOVERY IN FUN? I'm talking about it like it's SCIENCE! New development in cancer research? No. But we've figured out how to make fun MORE FUN. Other little things I enjoy: the founder made himself a manager, the phone number is about 7 digits too long. Not to mention how bizarre it is that this Martin McGrath character is offering free trips to young girls.

I also found another unfinished short story about this band that was really "popular" (whatever that means?). To make up for the story being terrible, I managed to come up with the most hardcore band name ever: Dragon Rage. So of course after I read the story, I totally looked Dragon Rage up to see if a band with that name actually exists. And the answer was more than I ever could have imagined:

Dragon Rage on Myspace

And I would assume that this is exactly what the Dragon Rage I dreamed up in my head would be like. Their about me: "We are the band Dragon Rage. We are the next great thing to happen to the world of music. We are currently not making any songs or albums. We are sorry for the inconvenience. We will be up and running as soon as we can."