DVD and Blu-Ray Review: LOST: "The New Man In Charge"

"Lost" was the rare show that championed its own mysteries, using the structure of serialized television as a positive. Knowing the finale would be almost entirely focused on character moments and not the resolution of some dangling plot threads, executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse decided to throw a bone to their fans in the form of "The New Man In Charge," an epilogue included on the DVD and Blu-ray.

As a small, extra feature, it works. But as the final piece of the "Lost" puzzle, it doesn't completely add up. [Note: spoilers begin here.]

"The New Man In Charge" begins with the final two members of the Dharma Initiative, who clearly symbolize the fans, with one even demanding, "We deserve answers!". "Lost" was never a show of subtly, particularly in dialogue, and I appreciated the extremely meta context. If it wasn't for the rabid fans, this short (and the show past Season 3) wouldn't have existed. These small moments were what the show did best.

The answers the show did give were not completely well-received, particularly in the episodes"Across The Sea" and "The End." Many fans found too much 'magic' and religion as a substitute for scientific explanations, which the series spent a lot of time with in season five.

Most of the mysteries solved in "The New Man In Charge" either had already been pieced together, like the polar bears or Room 23, or they seemed slapdash, like Chang's aliases or the food drops. Solving legitimate mysteries that affect the characters, particularly the "sickness" Sayid and Claire had, would have been a better use of time.

The explanation for the pregnancies, a by-product of electromagnetic experimentation, was one of the better definitive answers given during the epilogue. It also adds a foible to Ben's character: If he knew this information, then he brought Juliet to the island solely for himself, something hinted at in season four's "The Other Woman."

But this explanation, given on "a DVD from an old Betamax," still raises more questions. The final two members of the Dharma Initiative, proxy for the fans, continue to ask questions even as Ben leaves.

It's interesting how these eleven minutes are cut up: the first eight minutes are almost entirely about rapid-fire answers concerning the Dharma Initiative.

The rest of the epilogue is "Lost" back to its old tricks: Putting its characters front and center and teasing mysteries. I liked this half a lot more, which corresponds to my love for the finale. If you hated the finale, I'd imagine you'd like the first half more.

I enjoyed the explanation of Walt's whereabouts, but I know many who are disappointed. Much of the first two seasons dealt with why Walt was special, and this epilogue almost confirms he's special like John Locke.

Whereas Locke seemed special based on his philosophical ramblings, Walt seems to have a greater dominion over the physical side of the island, but we have no firm confirmation on any powers.

Lindelof and Cuse are right when they say that this information wouldn't have made sense in the framework of the final season, but that begs the question if this epilogue was necessary at all. As a fan, I'll take what I can get, but there are so many other things this epilogue could have covered (and in a better fashion). This rushed retread seems like a wasted opportunity.