By Jarett Wieselman
It should go without saying that Michael Emerson’s contributions to “Lost” are unquantifiable. He turned what was supposed to be a three-episode stint into one of the most essential characters in the fabricwork of “Lost.” Especially in light of the series finale, which (SPOILER ALERT) saw him stay behind and aid Hurley in the islands’ protection.
It’s in his capacity as Hugo’s right hand man that Ben factors into the next — and final — chapter in “Lost’s” saga: The New Man in Charge, a 12-minute tale of what happens after the two take over. It not only sheds light on those mysterious Dharma food drops, but also addresses some of the show’s biggest lingering questions.
Michael rang PopWrap this morning to discuss the fan-addressing bonus feature, his real feelings on the controversial “Lost” finale and how he plans to reunite with Terry O’Quinn sooner rather than later!
PopWrap: Congratulations on the twelve Emmy nominations — it’s so nice that “Lost” could go out with the industry recognition it deserves.
Michael Emerson: Thank you. It’s like everyone got kind of nostalgic and fond of us again. But I’m especially excited that “Lost” is recognized in so many different categories and it’ll be a nice reunion – I haven’t seen anyone since the end of April.
PW: And I have to say that I thought the finale was perfect.
Michael: I thought so too and I’ve had to defend it here and there, but I’m really comfortable defending it and I have a good defense for it, so I say bring on the nay-sayers!
PW: What do you say to the critics?
Michael: I say, put yourself in the position of the writers of this far flung show. A show that was not written in a straight line, but like an explosion that went out in all directions. How can you come up with a blanket finale for all of that? You do it by not going around and stitching together the frayed periphery of the narrative, but by returning to the center and bringing it all back again to the middle. To the heart, if you will. And I think that’s what they did. I was so delighted that instead of a device, instead of some narrative trickery, instead of some time travel thing, they made it a story about people and their souls. I thought that was the real payoff. It was brave and difficult. I was proud of them and proud to be part of something that was so humane.
PW: What did you think specifically about Ben’s conclusion on the show?
Michael: I was delighted to be left out of the march into eternity. I think it was important that it not be a perfect and neat ending where all was forgiven. Benjamin had more to atone for than most people and we see that in the finale, those who pass from the anti-chamber into there hereafter do it in pairs. They have to be reunited with their mirror-redeemer before they can forgive themselves enough to reach whatever state is required. Ben doesn’t have that. And the show never introduced a savior for Ben, someone who loves him unequivocally, through whose eyes he could forgive himself. So he still has work on his soul to do. I don’t know how exactly that gets done, maybe he just waits forever.
PW: So you don’t see Alex as his savior, but his staying behind at least gives him a second chance with her, right?
Michael: Oh sure, yea. I see clearly that Ben has at least come over to our side – that old Ben is gone. In absence of fanaticism, self-loathing and burning ambition he’s a simpler person. Ben’s like a Buddha now.
PW: And now everyone frustrated with the lack of answers has “The New Man in Charge” to look forward to.
Michael: Yea, it’s a little tidbit – a small desert at the end of a very large meal. It’s sweet and gives us just maybe the taste we want to fill in that empty gap when Hurley & Ben were in charge.
PW: It starts with two Dharma employees asking Ben for answers — how much do they represent the audience?
Michael: Oh, I think that’s very purposefully meta-dramatic [laughs]. Those two guys I think were stand-ins for, or spoke for, the frustrated audience out in the world.
PW: And despite not being overly forthcoming, quite a few fun mysteries get solved or addressed.
Michael: I thought the writers were mindful or providing answers – even if they were small ones – in the bonus features. I was so happy to do it, but that was hard work. It’s 12 minutes long, so that’s like a quarter of a full episode and we were shooting that while we were shooting the epic finale, which was like shooting a couple of feature films. Not to mention all the behind the scenes bonus features – so many interviews, so many strolls down memory lane, visiting old locations. April was a very busy month.
PW: Well as a fan, thank you for doing it because while the show is over it doesn’t feel like “Lost” has ended just yet.
Michael: I agree, there’s still life in it – I thought as soon as the finale aired “Lost” would begin to fade from my life but it’s still very much present. There’s such a lively and loyal audience out there that I think I’m going to be dealing with “Lost” for years to come.
PW: Especially with news that you and Terry O’Quinn are developing a new TV project together. How did that come about?
Michael: It came from just goofing off around on the “Lost” set. It started as a joke: what will we do after “Lost?” Well we could have a vaudeville act or do songs & dances on the front porch of the old actor’s home. But we liked the idea, even though it began as a joke, more and more of working together again. So he asked, “what do you have lined up after ‘Lost?’” I said, “nothing, what do you have?” He said “nothing.” We thought, would it be impossible to work together again? Is it out of the question? We decided it wasn’t — if we wanted it to happen it could happen. So we made our wishes known to the kinds of people who make TV shows in Hollywood.
PW: So there’s no tangible idea yet, just the concept of reuniting?
Michael: There’s maybe a half-dozen little baby ideas that are being batted around – you know how it is with the development of ideas in Hollywood: you throw something into the machine and when it comes out it looks nothing like itself any more. I don’t know if anything will come of it.
PW: But thematically, you guys are looking for something more comedic?
Michael: That was one of the ideas we were always tossing around – we’re both fairly funny guys who have lived in a dark place for a very long time on “Lost.” It might be fun to do something a little lighter in weight and a little more playful.
PW: Well, as a fan I certainly would love to have you both on TV together again.
Michael: I do feel that there is support for us – although I’m also a little trepidatious about it too because sometimes it’s better not to go to the well repeatedly. There’s also the risk of things just not working out. That would be a sad thing, so we’ll be extremely careful. Very particular.
Source: NY Post
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