Ok, it's been a few days now, and I've absorbed a bit more of what the long-awaited finale meant to me.

It's one of my favorite finales to go along with one of my favorite shows ever.

Many things went into Lost.  Mystery, philosophy, intrigue, action, good, evil, love, hate.  But the finale was over all about one thing - humanity.  It's flaws and redemption.  Sure, it would have been nice to have just a few more questions answered (Why was Walt so special?  What was Libby doing in that insane asylum?), but did those mysteries really drive the show?  Really?  Wasn't it more important to know the ultimate fate of this group of people we've spent 6 years getting to know?

I found the ending to be beautiful and poignant.  And I'm so glad that my worst fears were not realized - that in fact the sideways world was not an alternate timeline that would overcome the "real" one.  As Jack said, "Whatever Happened, Happened".  However, after all the trials, tribulations, and outright bullshit that the castaways had to endure from the Island, Smoke Monsters, and somewhat-benevolent demigods, they were still able to overcome their personal burdens to find each other and "live" together happily ever after (in a sense).  The fact that this happened without cheapening the reality of what happened on the Island is amazing, and I must tip my hat to Cuse and Lindelof for pulling off such an enormous task, at least in my mind.  They were able to conclude this incredibly complex and unique series in a fulfilling way.  Even Michael Giacchino, whose musical compositions I usually find mixed at best, wowed me in the final 20 minutes.  Perfect atmosphere for the final reunion.

But dammit, bringing in Vincent to keep Jack company as he breathed his last was cheap!  I was barely able to keep it together as Jack talked to his dad and met with everyone in the church, but the room got awful dusty as soon as man's best friend entered the picture.

So thank you, Lost.  You weren't without your flaws, but you were amazing.  No other TV series has ever sparked anything like the philosophical discussions I had with my friends after watching your episodes.  I'm thankful for every moment.  Well, except for the Jack's tatoo episode.  That was crap.  And Locke in the hippie commune.  WTF?  But other than that - superior television.

And just so I don't end this post in too maudlin a manner, some Lost-themed Unnecessary Censorship.  It's what Hurley would have wanted (all hail the new #1).