Adios Amigos!

(This is what Climax Looks Like)

This will be my last post for ahwile as I'm heading out to fufill some very important summer obligations. These obligations leave me without the luxury of an internet connection, televsion, and air conditioning. It's actually quite refreshing, you should all try it sometime. If your interested in what I'm doing then check out the link below. It's an amazing experience.

Have a good summer everybody and don't do anything that I wouldn't.

LOST: Live Together, Die Alone

The first time I watched the season 2 finale, the overall impact of the episode didn't hit me right away. So much new story was introduced that by the time the "Challah" hit ( what the writers called the super secret last 5 minutes) I wasn't really sure what to think of it, or how much of an impact it really had. So I slept on it, and decided to watch it again on the ol' DVR the next day. I must say, after the second viewing, I went from almost being dissapointed, to thinking this one of the most genius hours of television I've ever seen. I'll try to explain.

One of the many intruiging things behind Lost is the shows large number of mysteries. ( You could almost write a book). Some people hate that this show has so many questions, but some people like me love the fact that they make you think a use your imagination. Each mystery builds on the one before and as a result the show has built quite a mythology. "Live Together , Die Alone" pulled the curtain open a little wider on the overall meaning of the series and set up next season to further answer many of those big "questions".

Desmond's story was without a doubt worthy of the season finale. His connection with Locke, Penny Widmore, Libby, the hatch, and the island are pivotal to the show. The conversations he had with Locke in the hatch and leading up to it's destruction was a great way to bookend the "Science vs. Faith" argument of the first two seasons, and open it up to new possibilities and realizations for their characters in season 3 (if they all survived). I also loved how much meaning is carried by Desmond's book "Our mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens, It's a tale about money and love and probably a good indication of the direction the show might take next year (Love that is). The Libby-Desmond connection seemed really convienent to me, but I think that's the point. I would be at all surprised next year to find out that conversation was a set up, and Desmond was crashed on the island on purpose by way of Libby's boat. That's my theory anyways since Cynthia Watros is coming back as a flashbactor next year (She's going to be in flashbacks).

Desmond and the hatch story had the biggest immidiate impact of the finale in my opinion. The telling of Kelvin's story, the button, what the hatch does, who drew the map (Kelvin), and how the plane crashed were some of season 2's biggest mysteries, and they were all answered. The button releases pressure on the large concentration of electromagnetic energy that the hatch was built on, pressing the button every 108 minutes sustains the magnetic levels and keeps the island (and maybe the earth) from imploding on itself.The day Kelvin drew Desmond out of the hatch and the button wasn't pushed, crashing the plane as result was excellent. It made the intertwining of all of characters destiny's even more important, because even though there is an explanation behind the plane crash, it still doesn't mean it wasn't meant to happen. The Others knew that the plane was coming, and the how and why of that is still one of the questions, but everyone was on that plane for a reason. How else would the "Others" have a list of names before the crash. The biggest far reaching impact of Desmond's story is his romance with Penny Widmore, it is important enough to keep Desmond alive when he thought the world was over, and for Penny to spend all of her money to find Desmond.Penny's father, Charles Widmore will be a BIG factor in everything that has happened so far on Lost, mark my words, when Lost ends, he will be there.

The last five minutes of "Live together Die Alone" are so important to Lost because it is the first time in the shows history that life has been show off of the island in real time, not a flashback. The implications of that are huge. It means that the island is real, the plane crash was real. No one is dreaming, they aren't in purgatory. That means that the show as a tangible ending. No one is going to wake up at the end of the series and it all be a lie. That reassurance alone is enough to make this episode a work of genius.

This enitre review I've just alked about Desmond and there was a whole other story ark going on as well that was just as entertaining and smart. The rescuing of Walt/Betrayl by Michale storyline opens new doors as well. In the end we learned that Henry Gale is the leader of the others (which I called a long time ago, but so did a lot of people:), Michael and Walt are reunited (they'll be back in some shape or form),Sayid, Sun, and Jin are still out to sea, and Jack, Sawyer, and Kate are going home with the others. I wouldn't be surprised to see our favorite captives taken away from the island. (notice they are waiting for the Pala Ferry on the dock, the ferry that takes you away from the island. See "?"). Wow, that's a lot of crap to take in.

Everything up until this point has been great thought provoking entertainment and "Live Together, Die Alone" was a pretty freakin tremendous display. Now, Season 3 is set up like a gigantic christmas present, one that I can't wait to rip into come October. Until then...... (Go outside, it's nice out there)

10/10

Oh and I didn't even mention the statue........

LOST: Three Minutes

"Three Minutes" centered around Michael and his journey to find Walt on the Island, while also giving us a little insight into why he found it necessary to off Ana-Lucia. Good acting, bad acting, cool editing, and others in Loin cloths ensue.

The coolest element in this episode for me, had to be the way everything was cut together. Michael's story is told from the point where he is contacted by Walt on the computer, and it's intercut with the current events happening on the island. There are many shots from episodes earlier this season that are placed in with new ones that really help add to the continuity of this show, as well as remind me why I like this show enough to write about it on my silly little blog. The fact that this episode blended so seamlessly with episodes that aired months ago reassure me that Lost has an overarching plan and the writers are not just shooting in the dark.

The story itself had Michael running north through searching for the others. It turns out they where also looking for Michael. Michael is captured and taken to the other's camp where he is questioned about Walt. They then ask Michael to go back to his people and free Henry Gale as well as bring back some of his friends (Jack, Sawyer, Kate, Hurley), he refuses unless they let him see Walt. Ms. Klugh (the bad acting part of the show) says that he can see his son for "3 Minutes", hence the title of the episode. The scene between Michael and Walt is pretty powerful stuff, and gives a little bit better understanding of why Michael is setting the Other Losties up. I do still find it odd that he found it necessary to kill Ana-Lucia in order to do this though. I believe that he would've had no problem rallying the troops around his cause without killing someone. Maybe will get a little more insight on Michael's thinking next week, actually I'm almost positive that we do.

The current happenings on the island are also very important. Libby and Ana-Lucia finally get their proper burial. Sawyer and Jack have a classic exchange where Sawyer actually calls Jack his friend, and Sayid proves that he is the only one on the island with intuition and tells Jack of his mistrust of Michael. Then the end of the episode is capped off with a mysterious white yacht floating off shore. Once again the acting here is top notch, and everything all the puzzle pieces seem to be falling into place. However, Lost is Lost. If last years season finale is any indication, then when the puzzle is complete, the writers will kick if off the table and set all of the scattered pieces on fire. Leaving us all summer to pick them up. That's just good TV folks. It's not good if it doesn't keep you coming back for more.

8.5/10

Next week is the uber-huge, mega-exciting, super-califragilistic, extravagant word inducing season finale titled " Live Together, Die Alone ". Oh, and it's 2 Hours. Until then.............

Review: Stadium Arcadium

Phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal. That is the only way I can describe the Red Hot Chili Peppers new album. Stadium Arcadium is their first album in four years and it's obvious that they spent that time wisely.

Originally intended to be a 3 album trilogy, Stadium Arcadium instead became a 28 song beast that delivers on every track. Each member of the band is at their peak. Chad Smith is solid on drums, even dabbling into a little bongo action at one point. Flea is back to his roots and the slap bass has never sounded so good. Anthony Kedis delivers his smoothest performance to date. This album however, is John Frusciante's rock odyssey. Compared to past RHCP albums, Frusciante has been tame, but he is let loose on Arcadium. Solo's on top of solo's, slick verses and smooth ballads. The guitar work on this album is amazing.

There are many songs on this album that could have been the closing tracks on just about any rock album. Songs like "Wet Sand", "21st Century", "Torture Me", and "Storm in a teacup" are rock epics. "Storm in a teacup" is excellent more so for the fact that it's a return to the Chili Peppers roots. There are also the more modern style of Peppers songs like " Snow", "Slow Cheetah" and "Desecration Smile". These songs are further proof of this bands graceful aging process.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are doing what most bands can't as they get older, and that's get better. This band is truly like a fine wine. They are getting better with age, proving that with what might be their greatest album to date.

10/10

LOST: ?

After last weeks madness it was going to be a tough task for the writers and prudcers of Lost to keep the mometum going, but some how, they pulled it off and then some.

"?" is an Eko centric story. It starts out with eko having a dream, and in this dream he see's Ana Luci and his brother Yemi, both of them tell Eko that he needs to find the question mark, help John, and bring his axe. Eko wakes up out of the dream and heads straight for the hatch to find Locke.

Meanwhile Locke, Kate, Sawyer and Jack are approaching the hatch door when Michael busts out screaming that he was shot by Henry wo then ran off into the jungle. Eko then walks up and offers to help carry Michael back into the hatch. Everybody is shocked by all of the carnage inside. Ana-Lucia is dead and Libby is still alive but struggling. Eko volunteers himself and Locke to track down Henry, and they head off into the jungle. Meanwhile Jack demands that Sawyer go an get the Heroin from his stash and that he take Kate with him so they will know where his stash is. Sawyer gets pissed but agrees because he doesn't want Libby to suffer. Sawyer takes Kate back to the beach, and it turns out that Sawyer hid everything underneath his tent. Which I though was a pretty genius move. Just then Hurley walks up and asks where Libby is, and there is a really good wide shot of Hurleys reaction.

Meanwhile Eko and Locke are in the jungle and Eko finally asks about the question mark. Locke trys to play dumb ,so in response Eko knocks him out. When Locke wakes up he shows Eko the map he transcribed in the hatch. Eko follows it the best he can and it brings them back to the plane that Boone and Yemmi died in. They make camp, and that night Locke has a dream as well with Eko's brother in it. Locke tells Eko about it the next morning and he follows the instructions from the dream by climbing the canopy. From the high vantage point Eko looks down and see's a question mark in the grass below, with the dot centering right underneath the plane. Eko and Locke move the plane and find another hatch door underneath. Eko gets the door open with his axe to reveal a ladder leading deep underground. They follow it down into a small room with two chairs and a wall covered in television screens. Locke turns on all of the screens and they are survellance monitors for the hatches. eko finds an orientation film and pops it in. The video reveals that each of the hatches are actually experiments, and that pushing the button every one hundred and eight minutes is an experiement just to see if the subjects will do it. Locke is upset by this, but Eko sees it as a test of their faith, and that Locke has obviously Lost his. Eko goes on to say that it must be fate, because all of the circumstances that brought him to this island are connected in too many ways for him to believe otherwise, and if Locke won't continue pressing the button, the he will.

Kate, Sawyer, and Hurley go back to the hatch, and Jack gives Libby the heroin to "make her more comfortable". Hurley has a moment with Libby in what is without a doubt his best acting so far on this show. Libby comes to for a munute and is able to utter "Michael" right before she dies. Jack thinks she is concerned as to whether or not Michael lived or not, but oh contrare. After Libby's death he old Lost music from last year plays as the button starts to beep. There is a really cool montage of everyone upset of the incident and it closes on an ominous looking Michael

This episode did a very good job of exploring the scinece vs. faith theme behind this show. Eko's journey of faith was complemented by his experiences with Charlotte ,and his brother's death, Eko now he feels that it's his job to lead John back on the path of faith. He see's everything on the island as a test, much like Locke used too. Events during the course of this season (Henry Gale) have led to Locke doubting himself and his faith, and much like how Locke tested Boone last season, Eko tested Locke. Eko feels that him and Locke have a higher purpose on the island, and that pressing the button is part of that, they just don't know the reason yet. The stuff with Libby, although sort of cliche, I thought was done well. The actors are really stepping their game up as the season comes to an end. The discovery of the Pearl is also a very big deal and I seriously doubt the entire story of that hatch has been told yet.

Classic episode 9.5/10

Next weeks episode is called "Three Minutes" and it's about Michaels time that he spent with the "Others". It also will mark the return of everyone's favorite kindnapping victim, Walt! IN flashback form though, so don't get to excited. Until then.......................................................

LOST: Two for the Road

I'm going to get right to the point with this epidsode.....

Oh my freakin god!

Ok now that thats out...

The episode leading up to the grand finale centered around Ana Lucia and her struggling to deal with commiting murder. She quits being a police officer and starts working at airport security. That's where she meets Jack's father. While they talk Christian convinces Ana to go to Austrailia with him as his body gaurd , as well as the fact that they are both trying to get away from there lives. Ana Lucia agrees and they are off to Austrailia. Christian has Ana lucia go with him while they are in Sydney as he goes to confront a woman. During all of the yelling it sounded like Christian was saying something like "she's my daughter to" and "I have every right to see her". So it sounds like Jack has a half sister. I guess we will find out. I think that Christian needed Ana Lucia for protection from himself more than for protection from others. Which turns out to be true after Ana Lucia decides to go back to America, because as we all now, Jacks dad dies, and that's the reason why Jack even went to Austrailia in the first place. So Ana Lucia calls her Mom and tells her she's coming home to face up to her responsibilities, and that she will be on Oceanic flight 815.

I thought Ana's flashback was pretty good. It gave good closure to her character as to why she was on the plane, and how she was searching for redemption just like everyone else. There were also crossovers like crazy. First off with Ana-Lucia and Jacks Dad, then when they almost hit Sawyer crossing the street. Who then goes on to have a drink with Christian. Cool stuff.

The bread and butter of this episode was the island events. Ana Lucia is attacked by Henry Gale when she is bringing him food. He tells her that "she's the killer" and that she "killed good people". Locke saves her by knocking henry out with his crutch, and then decides to keep the attack a secret. After that Ana Lucia wants revenge so she goes and trys to get a gun from Sawyer. She eventually gets it by using her womanly powers of persuasion. Jack and Kate bring Michael back to the hatch and when he wakes up he describes his encounter with the others, and that he thinks that they can take them. Jack and Locke agree, and they along with Kate, go to get the rest of the guns from Sawyer, leaving Ana alone in the hatch with Henry and Michael. It not until Jack, Locke and Kate are confronting Sawyer, that Locke realizes what is going on.
Meanwhile back in the hatch. Ana Lucia confronts Henry but can't pull the trigger. So she locks Henry back inside the armory. Michael comes over and talks to Ana, convincing her to let him kill Henry because he wants revenge for them taking Walt, and that these people are animals. Ana agrees and gives Michael then gun and the combination to the armory. It's then that one of the biggest plot twists ever in this show occured. Michael tells Ana Lucia that he's sorry, and when she says "for what", he turns the gun on her a kills her. A couple seconds later Libby walks into the hatch because she is getting blankets for her and Hurley's date, she startles Michael and he accidently shoots her too. Michael then opens up the armory and gives Henry a funny look of reassurance, then shoots himself in the shoulder. The End.

I must be honest, I'm a spoiler fiend. So I have known that Ana Lucia would die for about a month now, and I had heard that it might be at the hands of Michael. Yet I had no Idea that events would play out like they did last night. I pictured Michael accidentaly killing Ana while trying to shoot Henry or trying to get the gun away from Ana Lucia. I had no idea it would be in cold-blood. I also had no idea that Libby would get shot either. I've heard that she's leaving the show, but I wasn't expecting this. Wow! I'm assuming that Michaels turn to the dark side is all an attempt for him to get Walt back. I figure the Others captured Michael and gave him an ultimatum "Bring the Losties to us or Walt dies" , because Michael will do anything to get back Walt, including kill and betray. It's really an awsome storyline, because who wouldn't do anything to save their children. So it's hard to hate Michael, and it should be awesome to see how this all plays out. Hats off to Damon Lindleoff and Carlton Cuse. This episode was genius.

10/10

Nest weeks episode is title "?" and is Eko/Locke centric. Should be a doozy.

Until then................

Stephen Colbert: American Hero

If you haven't heard by now Comedy Central host, and former Daily Show correspondent Stephen Colbert gave the keynote address at the White House Correspondents dinner last Saturday night. He was brought in to give the speech because I'm guessing they expected some light political humor and a few innocent laughs. There was some laughter for sure, but not the type they were expecting. In fact the laughter was outweighed by nervous looks and "Oh my god is he really saying these things" by most of the Washington crowd.

Stephen Colbert isn't a powerful man, he isn't a hollywood player, he isn't a politician , yet he had the balls to stand up in front of a crowd filled with the most powerful people in this country and speak his mind. A lot of people bash Bush, but only a few people in this country have had the gusto to do it to his face, in his house, at his show. Stephen Colbert is one of those men.

A lot of the media on both sides tried to downplay the speech, mainly because Colbert gave it to them too. He took no prisoners. A lot of talking heads said the speech "wasn't funny" or that it "bombed". Funny wasn't the point of the speech. Stephen Colbert proved what America is all about on Saturday, he spoke his mind. He wasn't hateful, he wasn't petty. Colbert delivered a slick, well polished speech, filled with his own brand of tounge and cheek humor. He lambasted Washington and the media in a very civilized manner, so much so that it went over most of the audiences head.

There is a line from Colbert's speech that says " Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know-Fiction!" Colbert is that intrepid reported and I hope that other people take notice. People can complain all they want to about the President and this administration, but unless more people start standing up and making their voices heard, then we are just as guilty because we stand by and let these things happen. So thanks Stephen Colbert, for you have muchos juevos grandes, you said what needed to be said.

Here's a link to the entire speech: http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/4/30/1441/59811