fett on 20/2/2007 at 14:20

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In the continuing mystery that is my educational pursuit, I'm currently adding some credits to my degree which will enable me to work as a librarian. I'm concentrating on school library studies which would allow me to work in public libraries or (preferably for me) in an elementary school library.

This is not a thread seeking career advice.

No my friends, this is a thread about the apparent inability on the part of storytellers to come up with endings. Note, I did not say 'good' endings (as that is a subjective term).

As part of my studies, I've taken it upon myself to catch up on young people's literature. Young adult fantasy has always been my favorite genre of literature as well, because it's all the wonder, with none (or very little) of the cynicism. I've always loved Narnia, Alice, Lloyd Alexander, etc.

So I've read the Harry Potter series to date, as well as several other series (Gregor the Overlander, Charlie Bone, Artemis Fowl, Pullman's series, etc.). I also just finished Lemony Snickett's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' which at long last brings me to the point of this thread.

This series starts out brilliantly - a very fresh idea, deliciously morbid and grim, great character development, and very comedic, if not original villain (for a children's series). The books aren't long, but they are very entertaining in a 'book-a-day' sort of way. Mystery's are stumbled upon, bad guys are thwarted, people take sides, and by the 5th book, there are enough plot threads winging out into the darkness to make X-Files look like Goodnight Moon.

I was intrigued, and rushed to Book the 13th to discover what possible resolution the author might have, not only to the story of the children's unfortunate lives, but in hopes that I might discover the identity and story of Lemony Snickett, the cryptic author of this fine tale.

There is no fucking ending.

Now, for all of you who will undoubtedly respond with some feeble defense of existentialist bullshite, you can fuck the hell off right now. This thread isn't for you. Go away. :mad:

How long are we to tolerate this madness? Speaking of X-Files, I invested 13 (read: thir-fucking-teen) years in it only to realize in the last 3 episodes that Chris Carter had no idea whatsoever where he was going. I could care less that Mulder and Scully make whoopie. I want to know why CSM is cozy with Mrs. Mulder. I want to know what the green stuff and the black oil is. I want to know if earth survives the invasion. Valve is doing this shit to us as I speak with HL2. I'm being stood up by Smallville again this season (no comments from the peanut gallery about my entertainment tastes please). I'd bet my ass that Lost is bending us over right now. I'll never forgive the Wachowski brothers, and neither should you. Say what you will about Lucas fucking up the prequels, but I know that the story ends with the bad guys dead, the good guys alive, and the Ewoks dancing under the moon. Good enough for me.

I don't mind being left hanging if it's not the fault of the creator (System Shock, or Twin Peaks for instance), but when the creator of ANY series starts down that road to a 15 book deal, an 8 season contract, or the dreaded trilogy effect with toy tie-ins, I'm sorry, but THEY NEED TO HAVE A FUCKING ENDING IN MIND.

The Emperor has no clothes people. This idea that writers/creators are doing us a favor by letting us 'make up our own ending' is a lazy cop-out, and nothing more than an excuse to keep taking our money. You existentialists, don't fool yourselves - that carrot they keep dangling in front of you that makes you keep watching/buying/speculating? IT'S THE FUCKING ENDING. And I'm sick and tired of never seeing it delivered. I don't even care if it ends badly, quickly, or without warning.

I just want an ending. Is that too much to ask? Am I SO out of touch that I can't see the apparent genius behind the creation of sprawling epics with no endings? Help me out here. No less than the very future of my spare time is at stake.

Paz on 20/2/2007 at 14:57

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Yeah, The Last Battle was pretty bad.

Paz on 20/2/2007 at 15:22

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Can you explain your usage of the term "existentialist" in reference to endings which you have found unsatisfactory? Most literature of this kind does, in fact, have a conclusion (The Stranger, etc.)

I think you might be using it as a synonym for relativism, but I'm not sure.

driver on 20/2/2007 at 17:01

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Granted there wasn't some great exposition at the end of The End, but Snickett did tie up most loose ends. The Epilogue seemed a bit forced, but it did give an idea as to what happens to the Baudelaires and finally told us who Beatrice was (Which in itself gave us a clue as to why Snickett was tracing the Baudelaires).

The_Raven on 20/2/2007 at 17:53

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I would agree with Raven, Quantum Leap and the TNG endings still stay with me to this day. Though in Quantum Leap's case, I had no idea what was going on since it was the first Quantum Leap episode I saw in recent times.

I'm sure fett is using hyperbole, but I'll mention that X-Files only ran for 9 year and, yes, had one of the most stupid endings imaginable. Then again, since the show when so far downhill after season 5 did you really expect anything different?

PS. Please tell me more of your wife's crotchless panties.
PPS. I also hear they are virtually unattainable on the planet Algon.