Lost ending explained: What are the flash-sideways?

Lost ending explained: What are the flash-sideways?

As a seasoned survivor of countless binge-watches and endless television debates, I must say that revisiting Lost on Netflix felt like stepping into a time machine and being transported back to my youth. The series finale still manages to leave viewers divided, much like my own family during our annual Thanksgiving dinners.


The TV show “Lost” is now available on Netflix, giving a fresh audience the chance to explore one of television’s most debated finale conclusions.

When the finale first aired on 23rd May 2010, fans either loved or hated the divisive two-parter.

For six seasons, the series “Lost” traced the journey of passengers from Oceanic Airlines Flight 815, who found themselves stranded on a puzzling island featuring hidden laboratories, roaming polar bears, and an enigmatic entity made of fog.

As the series unfolds, it skillfully employs flashbacks, previews of future events, and even an alternate timeline, providing deeper understanding of each character’s journey, all while propelling the main storyline towards its thrilling conclusion.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but reflect on the captivating two-part finale of that series we both adore. A significant portion of it unfolds right on the island itself, where the climactic confrontation between the Man in Black and the other characters takes place, leaving the island’s destiny hanging in the balance. However, it’s in the parallel timeline—the flash-sideways—where the mystery deepens and debate rages, particularly around the question that has lingered since the very end: were we existing within a collective afterlife all along?

Fortunately, we’ve simplified the major plot twist from the series “Lost” for your convenience. Scroll down to unravel the mystery behind its conclusion.

Lost ending explained: What exactly were the flashsideways?

Similar to the rest of “Lost,” the final episode hops between occurrences on the island itself, and in this instance, a flash-forward – an alternate reality where Flight 815 did not crash onto the island.

That alternate timeline was created thanks to Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell), who, because of a time-shift, had become stranded in the 1970s. With a lot of other factors in play, like her love of Sawyer (Josh Holloway), Juliet goes through with a plan to destroy the hatch on the island, using the logic that this will stop Oceanic Flight 815 from ever crashing, therefore stopping the events of Lost from ever taking place. 

Lost ending explained: What are the flash-sideways?

Throughout the final episode of the series, we find our characters, if I may use a casual term, being pulled together in what seems like an alternate reality. Over time, they gradually recall their experiences on the island due to interactions with one another. This process builds up to the stunning revelation that continues to leave viewers amazed, bewildered, or frustrated, depending on personal feelings.

In the alternate timeline, often referred to as flash-sideways events, our characters appear to be deceased. This timeline serves as a sort of afterlife, reuniting everyone from the island and helping them find closure for their shared past experiences. However, this setup led to some viewer confusion about whether the characters had actually been dead throughout the main storyline.

In another way of saying it: They didn’t experience it, but what happened on the island – the sorrow, pleasure, and relationships – were all genuine. The “flash-sideways” was a product of their island experiences, a period that Jack Shephard’s father, Christian (John Terry), beautifully summed up as “the most significant part of your life was the time you spent with these people on that island.”

Lost ending explained: What are the flash-sideways?

The finale’s storyline on the island leaves things rather puzzling, as some characters meet their end while others survive, with many having perished earlier in the series. However, the final flash-sideways scene in the church gives it a profound emotional depth – presenting one of TV’s most graceful representations of the afterlife and the connections we forge with others. It appears to be an eternal realm where they gather, patiently waiting for one another before venturing into “what lies beyond” together.

What happens to the island?

Although many viewers find the “flash-sideways” segment in the final episode of the show confusing, it’s important to note that a lot happens on the island as well.

On this island, many stories revolve around its guardian, Jacob, and his nemesis, the Man in Black. Their storyline reaches its climax when Jack slays the Man in Black, while also persuading Hurley (Jorge Garcia) – filled with emotion – to become the new caretaker of the island. In a heartwarming scene, Hurley is uncertain about his next steps, so he turns to Ben Linus (Michael Emerson) for guidance, and Ben willingly offers it.

In the flash-sideways, this particular instance carries a heartwarming reward, as they step out from the church and recall the virtuous acts they’d perform together, contributing to the island’s wellbeing.

Who lives and who dies in Lost?

Contrary to many assumptions, the characters didn’t die earlier in the story. Nevertheless, the final episode of the series witnesses two significant deaths. Firstly, the Man in Black meets his end when he is shot by Kate (played by Evangeline Lilly) and later falls off a cliff following Jack’s push.

In a poignant reflection of his initial portrayal and the series itself, I must admit, it was Jack who met his end on that island. He lay still among the bamboo grove, gazing upward at the heavens as the other survivors departed.

Lost ending explained: What are the flash-sideways?

What has Damon Lindelof said about the ending?

The makers behind the series “Lost” are not exempt from the disagreements surrounding its final episode, acknowledging that they didn’t provide answers for all questions posed throughout the show.

In a 2023 conversation with Esquire, Lindelof discussed the uproar about the finale and maintains that he wouldn’t alter anything. He expressed, “Admittedly, it sounds arrogant to claim I wouldn’t change anything, but it’s accurate.”

As a long-time fan of the Lost series, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with fellow enthusiasts like myself! If you haven’t had the chance to revisit this captivating show or catch it for the first time, here’s your opportunity. You can now stream Lost on Disney Plus.

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2024-08-23 13:36