Lost, The End

Spoiler Alert: Do not read below if you have not seen the last episode of Lost and you do not want to know what happens.









'So that is what it all meant!' is what I had imagined myself thinking at 7.30am this morning after watching the finale and last ever episode of the most confusing yet brilliantly intriguing show on television, Lost. But whilst I was (in my early morning state) still confused, I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-and-a-half-hour ending that packed in drama, romance, reconciliation, death and at least some answers.

The running theme throughout the episode, as with the majority of the last season, was the flash-sideways. Were they real? And if so what were the lives on the island all about? Well it turns out that the flash-sideways in what seemed like a parallel universe were actually an afterlife, purgatory where all the characters began bumping into each other again and remembering their time on the island (which gave the viewers nice flashback montages of the six series and the characters' time on the island).

Whilst their adventures on the island were real and did all happen, a still dead but now talking Dr Christian Shephard (clever name clue there!) told his son Jack in the afterlife that everyone on the island had died, whether it be before or after Jack himself. With no sense of time or as Jack's dad put it: "there is no now, here" in this afterlife, old friends and lovers were reunited. Most of the characters conveniently gathered at the church, corralled by messenger-in-the-afterlife Desmond and eventually moved on together as a bright light engulfed the church.

It was a satisfying end in what turned out to be a character-driven finale as Jack and Kate, Sawyer and Juliet, Charlie and Claire etc reunited after remembering their time on the island together. Whilst extremely sweet, the emotional reunions soon bogged down an episode that at points lost sight of what I thought Lost had all been about.

In the end it turns out Lost was all about the characters and the journeys they take rather than the island itself. But this left many questions and mysteries unanswered. Why was there a polar bear running around? Where did the island originate from? Apart from being the heart of the island what exactly was that light that Jacob and then Jack had to protect? Maybe these questions were answered and amongst the mazy narrative and time travelling I have missed them? Or maybe, befitting of the show's name, some answers will just stay a mystery?

Back on the island Jack, now Jacob's successor to protect the Island, battled the smoke monster (Flocke) who wanted to destroy the island whilst Jack tried to protect it. After Desmond shut down the mysterious light source labelled as the heart of the island it seemed that Flocke had got his wish. But in a final twist his plan didn't work and a dramatic clifftop battle ensued between Jack and Flocke. With a knife to Jack's throat and a stab wound to his stomach it looked like Jack was a goner until love interest Kate saved the day by shooting Flocke before Jack killed him once and for all.

With the island still close to destruction despite Flocke's demise Jack decided to return to the heart of the island and restore the light source. In a romantic but all too late declaration Jack and Kate admitted their love for each other and finally put an end to the love triangle between the pair and Sawyer that had been ongoing throughout the show. Parting ways Kate and Sawyer headed for the miraculously fixed plane and their escape route off the island along with Claire, Miles, Richard and Frank.

Meanwhile in a painfully sad scene Jack passed on the role of protecting the island to a terrified Hurley (who we are led to believe from a scene in the afterlife did live on to look after the island with his number 2 Ben) before restoring the light source and the heart of the island.

The episode was littered with beautifully crafted scenes, from the stormy showdown between Jack and Flocke on the cliff-top to Jack lying helpless of the jungle floor as the plane carrying his friends away from the island passes overhead. All of the actors carrying this captivating story forward were superb in their roles.

In a poignant moment that marked the end Jack's eyes closed as he lay dying on the island, just as they had opened in the first ever episode.

Picture from Side Reel

EastEnders triumphs at Soap Awards

EastEnders triumphed at the British Soap Awards at the weekend, winning ten awards including both Best Actor and Actress and the coveted Best Soap.

The departing Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Branning took home the Best Actress and Best Dramatic Performance prizes whilst Scott Maslen (Jack Branning) claimed Best Actor and Sexist Male.

The BBC1 soap was also victorious in the Best Single Episode category for the 25th anniversary live episode, Best Storyline for Who Killed Archie?, Villain of the Year for Larry Lamb (Archie Mitchell), Best Exit for Charlie Clements' (Bradley Branning) and Marc Elliot (Syed Masood) won Best Newcomer.

EastEnders have had a hugely successful year and these awards recognised great acting and storylines including Syed's struggle with his sexuality, Archie Mitchell's dramatic Christmas Day murder and the show's first ever live episode, which saw Stacey admit to killing off Archie shortly after husband Bradley had plummeted to his death.

In the other categories Coronation Street picked up three awards; Sexist Female for Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre), Best Comedy Performance for Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor) and the Lifetime Achievement award for long-standing cast member Betty Driver (Betty Williams).

Hollyoaks claimed the Spectacular Scene of the Year award for Sarah Barnes's (Loui Batley) terrifying fatal skydive whilst Doctors won Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress for Sapphire Cox's portrayal of Ami Metcalf and Best On-Screen Partnership, which went to Jan Pearsons and Chris Walker (Karen and Rob Hollins).

Emmerdale would have been hugely disappointed to go home with only one award, the Special Achievement award for writer Bill Lyons. Emmerdale were nominated in every category but missed out on awards including Best Actor for Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy) and Best Storyline for Aaron's struggle with this sexuality. Despite an impressive year for EastEnders, the writing and acting from all involved on Aaron's storyline was deserving of award recognition.

The British Soap Awards will be shown on ITV1 on 19th May 2010.

For a full list of winners click here.

Picture from Digital Spy

Stacey and Jean to leave EastEnders

EastEnders actresses Lacey Turner and Gillian Wright, who play mother and daughter Stacey Branning and Jean Slater, will leave the show later this year.

Lacey, who first arrived in Albert Square in 2004, has reportedly left to pursue other projects but the door will be left open for her return.

Stacey was followed onto the Square by her mother Jean, who has appeared in the show on and off since 2004. Jean and Stacey have had a troubled relationship throughout their time on the show. In one of EastEnders most emotional storylines bipolar sufferer Jean helped her daughter Stacey through her recent diagnosis with bipolar.

As two of the best actresses in the soap their departure will be a great loss to EastEnders. Lacey has been involved in some of EastEnders biggest stories over her six years in Walford. From her romance with Bradley Branning, affair with Bradley's dad Max, suffering from bipolar and being revealed as Archie Mitchell's killer in EastEnders first ever live episode.

The pair's departure adds to the long list of cast members departing the Square this year. Matriarch Peggy Mitchell, Minty Peterson, Chelsea and Libby Fox and Charlie Slater are just some of the characters who will bow out of the show in 2010. But whilst it is all change in Walford, fans can look forward to the return of favourites Alfie and Kat Moon later this year.

Picture from Virgin Media

Glee, Monday E4

A glossy over-excitable American drama about all-singing, all-dancing teens? Sounds a bit like High School Musical and thus must be avoided by everyone over the age of 14 surely? But Glee (E4, Mondays 9pm) is a joyfully funny and light-hearted show centered around a high school glee club (a show choir group).

After the roaring success of the first half of season one, Glee returned last night on E4. Following their triumphant victory at sectionals New Directions returned to William McKinley High School with regionals on the horizon.

Since finding out he wasn't the father of Quinn's baby Finn had managed to fall unknowingly into a relationship with high-maintenance Rachel before quickly falling out again. But Rachel took little time to get over the break-up as she soon meets leading man Jesse St James, star singer from rival group Vocal Adrenaline (who New Directions are due to meet at regionals). A little too convenient maybe?

But it wasn't just the teenage hormones raging as teachers Will and Emma blossoming relationship hit major stumbling blocks. After breaking up with wife Terri after her baby lie Will began to have doubts about a new relationship and soon found himself in the arms of rival Vocal Adrenaline coach. Will and Emma promptly parted ways.

The best part of Glee is not the hugely catchy tunes and mash-ups or the teenage stories of love and break-up, it is Sue Sylvester. After being suspended Sue makes her return to the school in dubious circumstances and soon promises Will she will once again aim to destroy him and his glee club. Sue, maybe the worst teacher in the world, is brilliantly witty and delivers hysterical, cutting one-liners.

Like all good evil-geniuses Sue needs her right-hand men and in Glee this is the comedy pairing of Brittany and Santana, cheerios and glee club members. Whilst both only had minor roles in the opening episodes they are quickly becoming comedy gold for the show. Who couldn't laugh at the odd, yet beautifully funny line, "Did you that know dolphins are just gay sharks?" from Brittany to a confused Santana.

Whilst I am no Gleek (all the best shows need a catchy abbreviation), I do admit I am strangely addicted to this slightly less-embarrassing alternative to the High School Musical craze.

Maybe it is the cleverly arranged and annoyingly catchy songs, the relatable yet still over-the-top and interesting High School misfits or the hilarious antics from Sue and co? (or all of the above?) But Glee is fast becoming my favourite joyful TV show. Next up, a special Madonna themed episode.

Picture from E4.com

Doctor Who, The Eleventh Hour

Slipping on a tweed jacket and twiddling his bow tie Matt Smith bounded brilliantly onto the screen for his full debut as the new Doctor in last night's Doctor Who series opener The Eleventh Hour.

His quirky, witty and energetic Doctor will quickly dispel any fond memories from the David Tennant era and last night's showing promises great things from the youngest ever (yet still as mad) Doctor.

And Amy Pond showed herself to be an able sidekick for the Time Lord. Brash, confident yet still with a slight innocence and awe at his presence Karen Gillan slotted perfectly next to Smith in the role.

The episode started with the Tardis hurtling towards Earth eventually landing in the garden of a young Amelia Pond. After getting through a few regeneration hitches involving apples, yogurt and custard-covered fish fingers the Doctor soon finds an alien-related mystery waiting for him in the shape of a large crack in Amelia's bedroom wall, the mysterious Prisoner Zero and a giant eye.

One of Doctor Who's many strengths has always been the ability to mix emotion amongst the madness and in this episode this came when young Amelia sat on her suitcase, waiting for the mysterious Doctor and his Police box to return in what he said would be five minutes.

What was just over five minutes for the Doctor turned out to be 12 years for Amelia, now grown-up kissogram Amy by the time the Doctor returned. Meeting up once again Amy and the Doctor had time for a brief re-introduction and a little banter before coming face to face with the monster (Prisoner Zero) that had been scaring Amelia through her bedroom wall all those years ago.

Whilst the concept of a scary shape-shifting eel-like creature with piranha teeth escaping through a crack in the wall isn't Doctor Who's best scary alien story it facilitated the connection between the Doctor and his future companion nicely.

As with Doctor Who the end of the world soon loomed (in 20 minutes to be exact) and the Doctor had to save the day before the giant eye ship, known as the Atraxi incinerated Earth. The Doctor, with the help of Amy and her boyfriend Rory finally managed to defeat Prisoner Zero in a way only the Doctor could understand.

A final confrontation between the Doctor and the Atraxi culminated in a fitting look back at the Doctor Who legacy, from the Daleks and Cybermen to Tom Baker and David Tennant. But this episode was all about Smith and his wonderfully weird new Doctor, heralding in a new, fresh and younger era for television's best-loved franchise.

Picture from BBC

Chelsea Fox to leave EastEnders

EastEnders minx Chelsea Fox will depart Albert Square later this year after actress Tiana Benjamin announced she was quitting the BBC soap.

Benjamin, 25, who has been on the show since May 2006, has quit to pursue other projects.

Chelsea first appeared in Walford as a surprise love interest for Grant Mitchell and was joined soon after by feisty mother Denise and sister Libby.

Over her four years Chelsea has dated many of Walford's male residents including Sean Slater and more recently Jack Branning. But other than being a maneater, her character has been underused. Chelsea had a short-lived and now forgotten about drug habit and served time in prison for falsely accusing Sean of attacking Patrick back in 2007.

But Chelsea may yet have an explosive exit from Walford with her father Lucas' murder secret yet to be discovered. Lucas has already killed twice, so could Chelsea find out the terrible truth or will she be unstable Lucas' next victim?

Picture from BBC

EastEnders Two-Hander; Max confronts Stacey

It was a final shot fitting of the episode, the camera travelling away from the darkness of Albert Square into a birds eye view of London as the credits began to roll.

This impressive special effects shot came after an emotionally-charged 30 minutes episode of EastEnders that included only the grief-stricken Max (Jake Wood) and Stacey (Lacey Turner), shouting out everything that the viewer and Max had wanted to know since Stacey revealed herself to be the killer and Bradley plummeted to his death in the live episode last month.

Stacey had been missing for weeks so Max, in the search for answers and revenge, did what he does best - lie, seduce and manipulate. After sleeping with Stacey's unstable mate Becca he then followed her as she visited Stacey. Seizing the opportunity Max burst in and finally confronted pregnant Stacey.

Penned by lead writer Simon Ashdown, the special two-hander episode saw Max force Stacey to explain how and why she killed evil Archie on Christmas Day.

Jake Wood gave one of his finest performances as Max struggled to control his anger and grief when coming face to face with Stacey again and as always Lacey Turner was captivating as Stacey pleaded with Max not to turn her over to the Police; the chemistry and history between the pair always bubbling on the surface during their heated confrontations.

By the end of the episode Max had forcefully taken Stacey back to the Square, ready for her to say her goodbyes before turning herself in. But after a sudden change of heart Max decided to let Stacey off, claiming he was doing it for Bradley as he finally managed to properly grieve for his son.

Whilst the change of heart from Max seemed slightly hasty (yet still believable), the episode was impressive with excellent performances from Jake Wood and Lacey Turner. The emotional two-hander tied up any loose ends in an storyline that has kept viewers hooked for months.

Picture from EastEnders