Lost

I've heard from many people who broke down in tears upon learning of Jin's death at the end of last week's Lost episode, "Ji Yeon."  I should point out that these weepers weren't people who cry over every touching Maxwell House commercial they see on television, but mostly folks who never shed a tear in front of the tube.  Considering that I'm someone who proudly admits to occasionally crying over touching TV shows, I was surprised that I was barely moved by the last few minutes of "Ji Yeon."  I thought the episode was fantastic, and I'm often touched by any story involving Sun and Jin (Daniel Dae Kim), but I didn't get emotional due to one simple fact:  I didn't believe for a moment that Jin was actually dead.

It's become apparent over the past seven episodes that the flash forwards in Lost's fourth season are littered with lies.  Jack (Matthew Fox) lied on the witness stand at Kate's trial, Hurley (Jorge Garcia) lied about knowing Ana-Lucia, and Sayid (Naveen Andrews) built a post-island career on deception.  The Oceanic Six are obviously covering something monumentally important, and they're going out of their way on a daily basis to keep the illusion of their story alive.  They want the world to believe that only six of them survived their time on the island, and they're willing to perjure themselves to do it if they have to.

We may not know why they're lying, but I think it's safe to say that even a show as daring as Lost isn't going to kill all but six cast members before the end of the series.  I'm positive that the remaining castaways are still stuck on that pesky island.  I can't say why they were left behind or why the Oceanic Six are lying about it, but I know that Claire (Emilie de Ravin), Jin, and everyone else we love is still there.  They're still waiting and hoping for rescue, which is why Jack feels so ridiculously guilty and has a great need to go back to the island.

Why would Claire ever allow herself to be separated from her baby?  Why would Jin stay behind while Sun (Yunjin Kim) left without him?  I don't know.  However, I do know that both characters would gladly stay behind if it meant their loved ones could escape the island.  I think that by the end of the season, the Losties will be forced to make some tough decisions as to who will leave and who will stay.  Difficult choices will be made, and both Claire and Jin will give up being close to their families in order to give them  better futures.

For those wondering why Sun would break down at Jin's grave if she knew he was alive, let's remember that the Oceanic Six are celebrities in the future.  Sun would have to go to his grave to keep up appearances with the press.  Not only that, but she may see his grave as a tangible reminder of her husband and the deceitful choice they made that tore them apart.

I really wish I could have shed a tear or two over Jin's "demise," but this is Lost we're talking about here.  We can't believe anything until we've seen it with our own eyes, and even then there's still room for doubt.


- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of ABC)