Tension and myth in season finales

[Sydney]

Tension and myth in season finales
By Joanne Ostrow
Denver Post TV Critic


Should we be more concerned about potassium poisoning at the hands of someone we know, or nuclear destruction at the hands of terrorists?

When is it reasonable to be obsessed by the thought of an island-dwelling monster, and when is that monster a projection of our personal fears?

Is there anything more terrifying than learning that you are not who you think you are, that your family tree has missing limbs?

Our fears got the best of us this May. We can only hope for choices beyond "flee, hide or die."



It was a great week for high-tension TV, as the hottest series unfolded crucial plot points at season's end. Three finales kept viewers on heightened alert, artfully manipulating our anxieties, conscious and un-.

On ABC's "Desperate Housewives," we were titillated with the fear of betrayal, adultery and family secrets. Certain lineage is now in question: Dana, a.k.a. Zach (Cody Kasch), doesn't know it yet, but the audience has figured out that Mike Delfino (James Denton) is his father.

On Fox's "24," we were teased by the fear of terrorists, the thought of an inadequate wartime president and the possibility of a missile being aimed at a U.S. city. The horror: President Logan (Gregory Itzen) is a ringer for a younger Richard Nixon, panicking in time of crisis, then accepting congratulations for averting catastrophe.

On ABC's "Lost," we were tortured by the possibility of otherworldly powers and metaphysical puzzles working in defiance of human logic.

Personal, global and quantum alarm: That's entertainment!

Better than the crime-solver of the week in TV procedurals, beyond the odes to mortality on medical series, the moment is ripe for more convoluted questions of deepest dread, particularly on "Lost."

It's tough to determine what's scarier, that our innermost fears are so readily exploited by dramatists, or that millions of viewers now get their most provocative thoughts on fate, destiny, religion and philosophy from television.

What to make of Locke and Rousseau on "Lost" - the bald, once-paralyzed survivalist and the possibly delusional French woman who wasn't on the crashed airplane - not to mention the invoking of their philosopher-namesakes? Empiricism versus passion? Tabula rasa versus romance? Get out those Philosophy 101 notes, it's going to be a long summer without the jungle-tromping islanders. The finale was dynamite. Young Waltpremonitions were right: Don't go near that raft!


"Lost" finds its power


While "Desperate Housewives" is a deeply mediocre series with a terrific title, "24" has shown its ambition, topical relevance and staying power. "Lost" continues tossing weird mythology our way, lacing the adventure with hints of the profound.

The survivors have time to ponder. Do you think we're being punished? Is there any such thing as fate? What is destiny? The island brought us here. ... It's all in your head, dude!

The most comforting aspect of the drama, at a time of frightening real-world possibilities, is the way "Lost" endeavors to show us our better selves. In this drama, the variously flawed crash survivors have not turned into "Lord of the Flies." They've kept their heads (and, mostly, their hearts), and are inching toward some kind of salvation.

When they are not fantasizing about favorite snack foods, they talk about the nature of reality.

Credit producers J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof with layering on the heavy stuff. In the midst of a tale about relationships, with strong individual back stories revolving around a central mystery, there is room for contemplation.

Thankfully, they seem to have a firm grasp on the plot. Dispelling initial fears, they give reason to hope the series is about more than a monster.

As we leave the story hanging, the man of faith (Locke) and the man of science (Jack) struggle to unearth some meaning. Opening the buried hatch in this season's final hour, Locke believes what's inside is "hope."

Maybe it's a passage to Middle-earth, a shortcut to Tolkien land.

It will be enough if what's in there is Season 2.

TV critic Joanne Ostrow can be reached at 303-820-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com.



http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_2762821