“Lost” alum Dominic Monaghan agrees with Damon Lindelof that the appearance of an edited version of the series finale on Netflix is “a little befuddling.”
“If that’s the case, that seems very strange … that feels like that’s something that couldn’t happen — that a company is able to cut another piece of artistic work,” Monaghan said in an interview with TheWrap.
The version of the finale that appears on Netflix is approximately 18 minutes shorter than the one that aired on ABC in 2010, a change that “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof said “defies explanation” in a statement to Entertainment Weekly on Thursday. We informed Monaghan of the confusing controversy shortly thereafter, when few details were available.
“I am totally befuddled by all this,” Lindelof had said. “Love it or hate it, the finale that aired is the definitive finale and to alter it in any way defies explanation.”
Monaghan backed up Lindelof’s statements. “Damon’s a very smart, creative guy, and between him and J.J. [Abrams] and … Carlton Cuse and the editors of the show, if they had a vision for the finale after six years work, than that is their vision and that is what they wanted you to see.”
It’s possible that the difference is a simple mistake, as Lindelof also noted that a shorter version of the episode was cut together for ABC to air in reruns. But he also said that there is “zero reason” for that version to be on Netflix.
“It’s almost a little bit like, is nothing sacred anymore? Are they gonna get a hold of the original ‘Star Wars’ — or the original ‘Lord of the Rings’ and say to Pete Jackson, ‘Hey, it’s a little long for us, so we’re going to cut off an hour here and there, if that’s OK with you,’” Monaghan said. “I think most artistic people would get pissed off about something like that. I mean, you certainly wouldn’t do that to a painting.”
“It’s art. It’s a statement. You should leave it alone,” Monaghan summed up. “It’s already been said, you don’t need to edit a comment that’s already been said.”