If you think otherwise then you were not watching the same series I watched. I think the difference between those of us who are disappointed and those of us who thought it was the most brilliant thing ever on TV was that you have to understand..The Island was just a character.
When I say that I mean, that people were expecting some kind of explanation for the show to be wrapped up in the island and it was more about the people the whole time. If you think about it whole episodes were dedicated to character development and explorations of the motivations and growth of each of these people we grew to love. The island was a place where they all happened to meet. Where they learned to become better people. The island had mysterious properties, places and people that lent to the trials and tribulations that each of the characters encountered. The beautiful part about how this series ended was we had the answers to the island all along.
Q-Why were there Polar bears?
A- The Dharma Initiative bought them to experiment with. (Mystery solved like 3 seasons ago)
Q-Why was Widmore interested in the island?
A-It had mysterious properties and he wanted to shield it from others.(They point blank told you that)
Q-Why did people keep coming to the island? Why couldn't they leave?
A- Jacob bought them there and then wouldn't let them leave.
My point is everything that was told to us throughout the series was an answer. We just somehow thought there was more to it surrounding the island! But once we discover the island is exactly what it is, a strange place with a strange history and electromagnetic properties as well as an important light that must be protected, that's where the significance of the island ends!
What was important all along was the character's journey. In the final minutes of the finale we realize that everyone is dead and they are moving onto together. I wish I didn't have to say this but some people are dense. THEY WERE NOT DEAD ON THE ISLAND! As Christian Shephard said some people had died before Jack and some long long after. This is evidenced by the exchange with Hurley and Ben where they reminisce on their time on the island. It is clear that they lived on the island for many years before they ended up at the church. It is also clear that the alternate reality or "flash sideways" was purgatory. They all went there at their various times of death and continued to work out their issues and "let go" before they could all meet at the church. That is why they were such different people in this reality.
Everything else was REAL. They did go back to the island a second time. They were obligated to save their friends! The flash forwards were a peek into the lives some of them had once they got off the island.
Overall this was a great ending to a show that so many of us loved for six years. It was a full journey with the characters we loved and hated week after week. And the ending being full circle with Jack's eye closing was a perfect way to close out the series (no fade to black!)
I am completely satisfied and fulfilled by this ending and I think a lot more people once they re watch the finale will be too!
