[BigHairedAristocrat]

It seems like im in the minority, but i was completely and utterly disappointed with Ab Aeterno. My disappointment had nothing to do with the excellent direction, cinematography, and acting in the episode. Nestor, Mark, and Titus were all superb. However, I take issue with the extremely ridiculous and cheesy explainations the Lost writers have given us to some of the shows mysteries:

-The island is a cork that keeps "evil" out of the world? I would think that after 6 years, the writers could come up with something more interesting and original than that.

-Jacobs alleged motives don't make any sense when viewed in light of his actions. Two examples:

1) He’ll bring people to the island and then just lets smokey kill them off? The ones that surive are given a “clean slate” on life, but they arent told of this – so how would they act any differently than they would have if they’d not come to the Island? If Jacob wants to prove a point to the MIB, why not just observe humanity off the island? Jacob speaks of good and bad, yet he has brought hundreds of people to the island to die just to prove a point to one other person.

2) Based on principle, Jacob won’t interfere with people that come to the island, but he’ll appoint Richard to do the same thing on his behalf? Thats like saying murder is wrong, but i’ll pay a hitman to kill someone for me. it doesnt make any sense and is another example of lazy writing.

- And worst of all – What happens if the man in black leaves the island? Everyone goes to hell. REALLY? i don't even know where to begin on that one.

I certainly hope neither Jacob or the MIB weren’t being truthful in this weeks episode and that both of them were just using Richards Catholic belief system to manipulate him. Thats my one hope for the show at this point. Possible evidence that Jacob’s a big fat liar – it would appear the sideways timeline is one where the island is sunk – the illustrative cork has been popped – and it doesn’t seem like the world is any more evil than the original timeline we’ve seen on the show. So maybe the “Man in Locke” was being truthful when he told Sawyer in the cave that the island didn’t need protecting and it’s “just a d@mned island.” Maybe Jacob is just some crazy lunatic that has superpowers.

If the writers of show really expect us to beleive and be satisfied with the explainations they gave us in Ab Aeterno, then Lost has officially nuked the fridge/jumped the shark/whatever you want to call it. just like BSG, the writers may be getting lazy as the show ends.