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KRTVN's "Stranded" wraps after 7 Seasons
"You either Love or Hate the finale", says critics
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 18, 5631


The Castaways of "Stranded" prepare to escape the Island

"I've had a great run," says KRTVN's "Stranded" star Maxwell Ellis, better known as anti-hero Brad Thompson.  "My character has been through quite a journey, which includes starting out as a philosophical kind of guy, but then as someone who has pretty much lost his faith, and ultimately, let that cynicism get the better of him and get him to the dark side."  Thompson, who more or less represents what happens when a small man gets power, ends up meeting his fate as the people he once led turn on him before they eventually escape the island.

"It was one of the hardest roles I ever tried," said Ellis.  "I had to stay in great shape first of all and at my age, that is more of a challenge than you would think," he says with a laugh.  "It was easier filming in Gaduridos.  You sweat like 5 pounds off every day."

The show's ending, which saw Thompson getting tossed into a well as the show's heroes escape the island in an aircraft was controversial.  Fans were split on the philosophical implications of the end.  "We spent five seasons investing in Thompson," said one fan, "and then they pull the rug out and now we're supposed to hate him and think he got what he deserved?  I don't think that was a very good way to end it."  Others didn't understand why they chose to focus on some of the stories of some of the lesser known characters in the final season.  "As Finn kept saying, 'Who's Steve?'  They kept trying to bring in new characters at the end of the show like we've been through all these shows and now we are supposed to care about some idiot they introduce in mid Season 7.  I almost wanted to see them get sent back into the Time Loop with Thompson at the end."

Critics too were split pretty seriously over the finale.  "You either love it or you hate it," said Cathy Raymond, for LaModa.  "I personally loved it, but I tend to think about philosophical things.  I think the people who totally just thought the finale was such a let down wanted a straight forward, "Alright, here's the answers to all the mysteries.  All the theories were right, and we're just going to present it all in a nice little bow.'  But that is not this show, that has never been this show."

Without spoiling the finale for those who have not seen it, as with the show, the story that is presented is not all there is to the finale.  "There are a number of mysteries, which are simply not resolved, and given that the show is ended, their resolution is simply going to be left completely up to fan speculation," said Raymond.  "One of the biggest things that attracted people to the show was the ongoing questions about what this or that symbol means, what this plot device means, who this phrase means...  But this is the thing:  Magic tricks are only magical if you don't know how they are done.  You can watch the magician over and over again, but if you don't know how he's doing it, it still is magical.  Same way with 'Stranded'.  If they answered all the questions, you wouldn't still be sitting there amazed by the program."

"I think people will talk about this show in 20 years, easy," said Ellis.  "We're all actors and the actor's life is that you move on to the next thing.  You played the role, and then you move on.  But people call me 'Thompson' when they see me on the street.  I think we're all going to be remembered for this show forever."  

The "Stranded" Finale was watched by an estimated 45.8 million Kalistanis.  Seasons 1 and 2 are already available on streaming.

@LaModa