What do you think of spoilers?
New Spoilers Restart Controversy
Note: No spoilers in this article. No spoilers in comments please (Comments thread will be moderated).
In the wake of a major scene-by-scene spoiler of the Season 4 finale by the Lost fansite DarkUFO, I must say I'm disappointed (again) but not surprised. Apparently he has received very specific spoilers for the season finale, and has posted the synopsis of the first hour of three, apparently a very detailed scene-by-scene reveal. A new controversy is brewing, and we want to hear your opinions.
Andy, the proprietor of DarkUFO, says he received the information from a source claiming to be "Lostfan108". If you don't remember, Lostfan108 was the person who gave Dark the spoiler for the finale of Season 3, perhaps one of the biggest mindfucks in television history. I'm glad I wasn't spoiled for that one. Dark of course released the information and started a huge controversy, causing Darlton to sulk into radio silence. If this is indeed the same Lostfan108, the content is real.
This time, DarkUFO has taken some care, including posting warnings, guidelines on behaviors such as disseminating spoilers responsibly, and posting the spoiler as a flash slideshow that can't be easily copy-pasted in its current form. Of course we all know a text summary will be posted soon, somewhere, by somebody. If there is a huge twist at the end of this season, it too will be accidentally spoiled for many fans as the site promises to release spoilers for the final two parts of the finale. Is it worth it, Andy?
For the rest of you, be careful on "teh Internetz" for the next few weeks. It's a dangerous world out there.
179 comments:
I hate spoilers, but I think some people get frustrated that the writers give them one answer then follow it up with 5 more mysteries. I know that is what the show is all about, but for some it gets frustrating. If they want to read the spoilers, let them, as long as they don't ruin it for me.
I don't understand why they can't just wait. The episode airs today! Is it that important to spoil something so close to its air date? Don't people understand that we will get more hints and spoilers from the producers if we just wait for them to give them to us instead of some lame leaked info?
It seems to me that people who feel the need to post spoilers are doing it for some weird ego-trip, as though they're trying to steal some of the spotlight.
People who leak massive spoilers are the same people who murdered Santa Clause!
It's only a bloody TV show! Who cares if the island is really a hallucination in Hurley's head? Ten years from now, no one will remember Lost. In the grand scheme of things, this is nothing. Darlton will get mad, but they're still contractually obligated to produce the show. As far as I'm concerned, spoil me rotten!
Hey you really can't fault the guy for posting the spoilers. If somebody wants to "be spoiled" and know what is going to happen, that is their own dumb fault. I personally enjoy the "WTF!!" moments that Lost provides us with, and I try to steer clear of all sort of stuff...
This is so pathetic I am absolutely speechless.
Well, almost:
Let's ask ourselves why Lost is so much fun: For me it is the unknow and speculation about what is still in store. Sometimes you can deduce what's in store, other times you can't and the plot twists make your jaw drop and head spin.
It's that speculation that also drives me to sites like Lostpedia where I can discuss theories, as well as delve ino facts we already know. Why? Because it's fun!
I would also assume that the hardcore fans who run sites like DarkUfo and Lostpedia also have this sense of fun and love for the show.
So why would someone who spends time and money on running a website (I'll just assume they are not making money on spoiling episodes. That would be so low they'd deserve a public beating. But not too much, since I oppose needless violence.) undercut what makes this show so great?
Seriously, the only reason I can see someone would do such a thing is because they are an attention whore.
I guess I'll just have to stay away from the internets (impossible) because some moron will always yell "Vader is Luke's Father!" just to be the center of attention.
Pathetic.
I enjoy little teasing spoilers, cos they build the anticipation.
But I kinda ruined Season 3 for myself by accidentally reading about Charlie here when I was only halfway thru the DVD set!
Being in the UK, I also tend to read the synopsis on Friday before seeing each week's episode - but last week I didn't get the chance, so finding out who was looking over Baby John was a massive Woah! moment, and I learned my lesson!
So thanks for the warning - I'll tread carefully on the web for a couple of weeks!
The type of person that reads spoilers is the same type of person who skips to the end of a book to read the last chapter to find out what happens. Are you so impatient? It's the JOURNEY that makes the story folks. Not the instant, empty gratification of skipping ahead.
I allowed myself to be spoiled on a book online once. It completely ruined the experience for me.
To the people who need to read spoilers; Just be patient and enjoy the journey. The show will be over before you know it.
To the people who post spoilers; Get a life. Is it so gratifying to submarine the storytellers anonymously. What do you really gain? Nothing.
Besides it ruining the point of the show, it also violates the rights of everyone who puts effort into creating it. They make it so you will watch their show for the answers, rather than getting all the information from some third party source. In my opinion, posting spoilers is worse than pirating because not only is their work being stolen, but the people who see these spoilers aren't even showing the respect of admiring the work, but rather just ripping through it for a cheap answer.
Think back to the spoilers from the Season 3 finale. "...he's constantly on the phone desperately trying to contact somebody. And the last scene shows us who...he goes to meet the mystery person, and it's the last person on earth we would think...it's KATE!
And it's now that we realize that for the first time in Lost history, we haven't been watching a flashback. We've been watching a FLASH-FORWARD!"
Well, OK. Sure it tells us what happens, but it's not exactly Shakespeare is it? The writers go to great lengths to created crafted, engaging and surprising endings. These spoilers tell us the core facts that we all want to know, but without the story-telling they're actually very weak. Then, when we watch the episode, the twist is gone and we no longer get to go on the amazing journey that has been skilfully created for us.
Did you ever sneak downstairs in the middle of the night and open your Christmas presents in secret because the excitement was too much? It's the same sort of thing. You get to see the cool new toys and maybe play with them, but it isn't the same. If only you'd waited until the next morning. Then you'd get to live the full experience and open them on Christmas Day with your family, and the music, and the food, etc, etc. Sure, you could try and re-wrap the presents and pretend that it was all happening for the first time - but it just wouldn't feel the same.
It's a hollow victory.
The trouble is that Lost is a victim of its own success. It presents us with all these questions and engages us so that we develop an insatiable appetite for answers. We analyse every possible name reference, scrutinise screenshots, reverse audio samples, and so in on the search for answers. It's understandable that these extra nuggets of truth could prove too tempting for some. Not only do they provide answers, but they provide answers before the rest of the community gets them - and that extra knowledge can give a sense of power and exclusivity.
But those who do choose to read the spoilers may find it to be something of a poisoned chalice when they are denied the emotional rollercoster of the real deal. But that's their prerogative.
Those who choose to blurt it out and spoil it for the rest of us however, are selfish idiots and I wish them leprosy and an early death.
:-)
I remember accidently starting to read the spoiler from S3 finale last year...it was posted in a message board under fan fiction...and I began reading into it and it was just too late. For the next two weeks, after i watched the finale and already knew word for word what was happening, I remember being SO MAD.
Spoilers ruin all the fun. C'mon people, just enjoy being surprised.
I hate spoilers!! The whole point of Lost is how you figure out the clues and how you interpret what might happen next, then discussing it with fellow lost fans. I have friends who are solely my "Lost Friends" and we discuss what happened on Lost and what might happen next, even though we have almost nothing else in common besides Lost. That is the genius behind this show.
Plus, the producers reveal necessary information in its proper time. We knew of Penelope Widmore long before the freighter arrived. But that's the fun of Lost. The "Oh my god, that's from Season 2" moment. That's why I watch Lost. It's not about finding out the information first. It's about the puzzle that the producers have created. So, basically, spoilers suck.
At least the existence of spoilers allow those that abstain from reading to consistently voice their superiority to those that indulge.
Wha...WHAT? Vader is Luke's FATHER?! Well THANKS for spoiling me on that too!
In all seriousness, there is a line the must me drawn. I like some spoilers, but only what you can find on Spoilerfix and E!Online's Watch with Kristin. Anything, I try to stay clear of. I used to read some of the big synopsises for the episodes when they came out...like back at the start of S2. But now? I couldn't do that to myself. The completely mindfrakkery of this season has gotten me addicted to, well...mindfrakkery. Which means I don't want it spoiled.
But if others do? Who are we to whine and moan and complain. Yes, I know...those spoiler can, and will, eventually be spread. Which means unfortunately others will be accidentally spoiled because some bastard can't keep his, for lack of a better phrase, hands to himself. Or rather, hands off his keyboard.
But I think "staying of the internets" in its entirety is a tad in the extreme. I mean, as long as you steer clear of the less-reputable sites, you'll be fine. It's night like someone is going to imbed the spoilers in Google's new header.
If you don't want to be spoiled, just stay smart.
I think real "Lost" fans shouldn't want to read play-by-plays before the episode airs, nor do they want to know what the big twist/reveal is. Filming and location news is a little different, but flat out ruining the actual story-telling process is wrong and has no place in the fan universe of "Lost."
Who cares if they leak spoilers? If you don't like them then just don't read them... how hard is that!? Dark gives plnety of warning. I love spoilers, and why shouldn't I, I live in the UK and don't have Sky so can't watch Lost easily, not even on the ABC website (because it won't play in the UK).
For those who think that reading spoilers doesn't take away from the show, I have to say that's bullshit. Sorry. You cannot tell me that you experience an episode the same way after you have read a written, detailed synopsis of the show beforehand.
I once had someone argue the point that reading spoilers is no different than re-watching an episode. I have to disagree because nothing can replace that feeling of an unexpected twist experienced for the first time. Could you honestly say that Walkabout would have had the same impact if you already new the twist at the end? When you re watch an episode you are enjoying it on a different level. The creator's did not intend for the audience to experience the show this way, if they did, then they would have written a novel. That's why Damon and Carlton got so angry at the end of last season.
I can tell you that Lostfan108 is not a real Lost fan. I would loved to know why they can't keep a lid on spoilers. I have never seen a show that couldn't control the show content from being leaked as badly as Lost.
Some of you people need to calm down. Don't shoot the messenger (Andy). If you don't like spoilers, fine, stay away, but there are people who enjoy reading them (not myself).
Let those who want to be spoiled be spoiled, don't take this high-and-mighty attitude about it.
If you don't like spoilers, don't read them. It's not Dark's fault if people get spoiled, as he gives visitors the option to turn away.
It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that Andy from DarkUFO posts a spoiler like this. I honestly have trouble understanding if he is a fan, or is just trying to make fast bucks by hosting Google Ads on free Blogspot hosting services.
Spoilers are posted by those who never watch the show. No fan of the show would ever post a spoiler or read one, for that matter.
I agree with jack...in the past I used to read every spoilers that I find just to try to know something new. And I'm gone to ruin sense of the show. So I stopped it!
But more answers, big answers I mean probably help to protect secrets of the show. You know..something like "give and take".
Although DarkUFO proved many times to be a useful resource site for LOST fans, I can't help but strongly disagree with its spoiler policy.
Spoilers should all be, and with really no exception, banned from fansites. I never read them, wand I doubt many of us do. so why bother ? We all have plenty of time to theorize and spoil in huge ways AFTER the broadcast...
Wow. Where to start....
Firstly to question me as a fan of the show is quite franky insulting. I spend 15 hrs a day working on the site and it's a real labour of love.
The ads on the site pay for my hosting and other bills to accounts like Flickr pro, ISP costs etc Any other money I make I use for prizes for competitions etc for fans and readers of my site.
Oh, and if I didn't post the spoilers Lostfan said that he would post them on another site, without warning and would have spoiled it for more people. I took it upon myself to release them in the most controlled manner possible unlike last year when Lostfan108 posted them openly on the AICN message boards without any warning.
Which method of release would you have preferred? At least I'm trying my best for Lost Fans who don't want to be spoiled.
One last thing, over 20,000 fans voted in favour of the spoilers being released last year. A lot of people love spoilers, a lot of people hate spoilers, but don't ever tell me or anyone else what we should or should not like or do.
I prefer to give people the choice in what they read rather than dictating how people should act and what they should read. It's called democracy.
Frankly I expected better from a poster at Lostpedia, rather than contact me and ask for my side of the story, to just go ahead and post this story is a little sad, imho. But I guess it makes for a better story if you only have one side of it.
It's a shame. This show is entirely built on suspense and anticipation. If you all are like me, you say each week--"4 days till LOST". "LOST, tommorrow!"
I hate people who post spoilers. They are the same losers that live their life on trying to make people like them.
The remind me of that little dog that jumped back and forth over Spike. "Ok, Spike, whatever you say Spike, sure Spike".
To DarkUFO - I don't think it was a personal attack by any means. Santa was simply commenting on Lost fansites that subscribe to posting spoilers and whether this is for the good of the fanbase. He does mention that you have marked the spoilers clearly, but I think his point is that we all know eventually someone will copy and paste the spoilers you have hidden from plain view, and post them on somewhere like Lostpedia or TTS and spoil a vast number of people. His question is whether such information is worth a scoop.
To what you say about being threatened into releasing it - I still would not give in to that. Point is, Santa was analysing Lost fansite policy towards spoilers in general, which fans may or may not agree with - but I don't think he ever tried to insult or question your Lost fan credentials.
I'm sure my post will be ignored by those that wish to be spoiled, but I'll try anyway.
I use to read spoilers for BSG, thinking it would be great to know ahead of time what is going to happen. But, I noticed that when I actually watched the episodes, knowing what was going to happen, it sort of just washed over me without any anticipation, without much emotion at all. I would never allow that to happen for Lost.
Last night's episode was simply incredible and had I known going in what was in store I would have been missing out on so many "OMG! OMG!" moments that it would have been a huge letdown.
Keep in mind that spoilers do nothing but take away from the show, it never enhances the experience.
DarkUFO.
I'm wondering, as blogspot is free, exactly what hosting costs are associated with the site... Your personal ISP costs are your responsibility, not those of your users, unless of course you have a limited company in the eyes of the UK Government.
I'm afraid that regardless of what the "fans" want, I've always been one to try and respect the show, and its creators. They hate spoilers, and don't want fans having things ruined... As a SysOp here I've desperately tried to remove spoilers wherever possible. We have had to block the Season 4 spoiler page on the wiki due to the announced publishing of this.
If Lostfan108 would publish them on another site instead of yours, for the community, it might be better to say "OK, post them elsewhere". As your site was responsible for the 8 months of radio silence last year, I would take that responsibility on and refuse to ruin Lost for so many people.
To post major spoilers like this, shows disrespect to Damon, Carlton, JJ, The cast, the fans and the show itself.
If I were you, I'd let ABC know who the leak is to stop the spoilers instead of profiting off it.
Thanks Nickb123, nice to see some level headed discussion from someone rather than just bluster and the "I hate spoilers" crowd (We get it already).
Well he mentioned me by name in his post so I took it personally and before running his article, it would have been common courtesy to contact the person you are writing about to a) At least warn them, B) Try to get a balanced view.
As for giving in to Lostfan108, yes I agree that's an argument, however, if he had just posted them wildly on a number of open message boards, can you imagine the chaos and hurt that would have caused? At least I tried to make sure that fellow fans were warned and that they could take steps to avoid un-moderated message boards, and for site owners to prepare pre made threads for the spoilers to be discussed.
Personally I would have preferred that Lostfan108 had not had contacted me, but when he did I felt I had no choice really.
No I agree, I think it would have been better if you were contacted prior to a discussion on the spoiler. I think a follow-up article should certainly be sought to look at the threat troll-like spoiler people pose, and I take your point that addressing someone by name without a heads up first is a little embarassing.
I'm wondering, as blogspot is free, exactly what hosting costs are associated with the site... Your personal ISP costs are your responsibility, not those of your users, unless of course you have a limited company in the eyes of the UK Government.
I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Blogspot itself is free but you have to externally host CSS, Javascript, PDF, Video Files and Players on external servers. With 150,000 hits per day that's a lot of bandwidth and cost.
No idea what you mean by my users. It's a free service I run in my spare time, I don't require them to pay to use the site and the ADs are are way to help me pay my costs.
Hope that is ok for you?
Anyone whose an end user of your site, is a user regardless of membership etc.
I'm still of the opinion that spoilers of this magnitude should be avoided at all costs, by all fan sites in respect to the creators, the show and the fans as a whole.
Never understood this 'spoiler' thing. How can he (the creator of DarkUFO) call himself a true fan and the next minute go and publish spoilers about the series? Does he have any respect for the whole staff working in such a marvelous show, which he claims to love? I hate these fanboys who call themselves fans. Attention whores I say, anything for one more click. I know I'm never visiting DarkUFO AGAIN.
Kudos Dark.
I am a huge fan of spoilers and love getting info early and discussing it with other spoiler junkies.
I think he has done a great job of warning and hiding the big spoilers, no other site does such a good job and I'd rather have dark release the spoilers in a controlled fashion rather than jerk just posting them on the net.
Just wanted to show you some support my friend.
and yes - poor form on the OP for not speaking to you first
You know, *I* used to be like that. I read the final chapter in books, I read everything I could about movies before seeing them, you get the picture.
Until I went to see Matrix. I had no idea what's about, none at all. I was simply blown away, refreshed in not knowing what's about to happen. Since then, I avoid spoilers like the plague.
DarkUFO posted the spoilers just to increase the site's exposure and make an extra buck. I run a site too and I know how it works. It's just too bad the relationship between us (the fans) and the show creators will become once again strained, so anyway you look at it, it's a disservice.
As for me, I'll avoid any spoilers. I'm not even watching the next-week teasers. I don't want to know anything in advance.
I WANT to be on the edge of the seat, I want to jump up (like when Dr. Arzt exploded), I want to utter "what the f..." and can't help feeling sorry for those who read a poorly written description of what's going to and then wonder what's so exciting about LOST.
Unfortunately, episode 12 didn't air on Thursday for every Lost fan. Everyone living outside the US of A, has to wait weeks or even months before they can see the episodes thata everyone is talking about on this and other forums. Since I belong to that group, I need spoilers or a transcript of the last episode (still waiting for that one, guys!) to follow the discussions on the net. So for me, spoilers are necessary, as I'd like to discuss the latest developments in this epic series.
And of course I have to admit that I'm weak and I can't wait until my local TV station will broadcast this episode, so bring on the spoilers!
manana and memento, thanks very much for the very kind words and support, it's very much appreciated indeed.
And Tom I hear ya. I get 100's of emails from people who can't watch episodes like you and they are very grateful for the spoilers.
I guess some people will always want to try and impose want they like and want on others.
i am perfectly okay with the spoilers. no one forces you to read them. get over it.
Hi Dark,
I'm very grateful for the stuff that you post on your site, so keep up the good work!
To everyone who hates spoilers, there's a very simple and effective solution : don't read them! Nobody forces you to read them, so stop whining about it.
I am having trouble understanding why people can't differentiate between tiny little spoilers, and the huge end of Season ones.
We should just simply not spoil them.
I am an avid fan of Dark's site and he does a fantastic job handling these spoilers.
He ALWAYS puts big spoilers behind a "Are You Sure?" button so that its up to you if you wanna read them or not.
I unfortunately read the ending to last seasons finale and was totally dissapointed.
The eppy synopsis will be posted on Dark's site on Sunday night or Monday morning and I know I'll find it EXTREMELY hard not to give in this year, seeing as the info will be right there in two days time and the ep won't be shown for another two weeks.
To all those out there who are thinking of spoiling it, don't. It's much better to be shocked!
I have a love-hate relationship with spoilers. I read them throughout Season 2 and had the first few episodes of Season 3 ruined for me by them, including the S3 opening scene.
Some people read spoilers to get a general idea of what's going to happen so they can revel in listening to their friends' reactions to a cool scene. That's kind of the ego-tripping side that I don't like.
I've read a few Season 4 spoilers, despite my best efforts to stay clean this year. Doing a little bit work for the DarkUFO site kind of makes it impossible for me to escape the presence of spoilers :-)
Some spoilers aren't bad though. While they might tell you what happens, they don't necessarily tell you exactly HOW it happens. When I found out Shannon was slated to die in Season 2, I wasn't sure how they were going to do it. I was still on the edge of my seat the whole time because I didn't know when or how it would come.
I don't necessarily like the fact that DarkUFO has such thorough spoilers on the finale, but at least he is containing them in some way. He makes a good point about Lostfan108's ability to throw these secrets all over the Internet with no regard to spoiler-avoiders. Dark's controlled release can't prevent trolls from throwing these spoilers on other message boards, but the chances are that moderators for other message boards read all the spoilers as well. This way they know to ban and block people posting those same spoilers.
If you're looking for someone to blame, don't blame DarkUFO for supplying spoilers. Blame the millions of fans who seek an inside scoop. They're the one's creating a market for spoilers. If there was no demand for spoilers, sites like DarkUFO and Doc Arzt would be pointless and would have fizzled up long ago. Supply and demand folks. Fans demand spoilers so some people supply them. Supply without demand is what jerks and trolls do by throwing them in our faces just to ruin things for us. That's not DarkUFO or any of the other spoiler sites.
Don't blame the spoiler sites for "leaking" spoilers. The real leaks are coming from ABC, the studio and the production crews. If ABC wants to stop spoilers from spreading, then they need to clean house and institute a "Nanny State" for the show's production. Since this is America, that won't happen, so take your quasi-socialistic dreams of a spoiler-free utopia elsewhere. I bet 95% of spoiler readers are responsible with the information they obtain.
If we really wanted to be 100% spoiler free then we shouldn't post episode reviews and transcripts until the episodes have aired in every single country across the world. Some poor fellow from another country where Season 4 doesn't even start until June could stumble on this site and have the whole season spoiled. Just because the show has aired in one country, does that give any of us the right to talk about it? My fiancee still hasn't seen The Sixth Sense but nobody discusses the ending around her even though the film has been around for a decade.
When is a spoiler not a spoiler? Maybe that is the question we should be asking.
I personally don't like spoilers too much but I have no problem with others posting them. Most often there is a warning on what the content will be. Simply stay away from those areas. It is not that hard. This should not be this big a deal.
@plkrtn
Why?
It seems as if you are attaching some sort of negative ethical and/or moral value to spoiling what is on a television show?
I read spoilers here and there, but with the Lost the show has definitely gotten my attention back to a point where I personally don't need to.
Some people want to that's their own choice -- and furthermore as long as there is reasonable warnings about it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it because spoilers can often come up in the most random of places AND you won't get a warning, I think it's a courtesy that the guy does give a warning because he clearly doesn't have to, BUT -- he respects the fanbase enough to.
Let's just let the man do what he wants provided it's not illegal.
And also you're talking about advertising, website costs, whatever. Well Lostpedia does it too, I went to read the episode summary for last night's episode after I saw it and there's all these green-texted advertising words. So why do you use this site if there's all this advertising and what not going on?
I also mind it somewhat amusing that there is so much heat over this when there are clearly bigger issues in life. Oh, the amusement of the Internet.
I'm fine with little teasers for the episode, the ABC released bits and pieces, and fun little hints at what could possibly happen, but I read scene by scene spoilers on pretty much every episode last season (including the finale) and in retrospect it ruined the season for me. Like I said I don't care about teasers and tidbits for each episode, but posting the whole season finale? I don't care how many precautions you take it's going to end up getting ruined for someone. JJ Abrams would be disappointed in the people that read spoilers like these, and Darlton basically said last season that they were disappointed in fans that read the season finale last season. Once I realized how much these guys care about the show and how it's presented (should have figured it out when they buried Niki and Paulo alive) That's when I said enough was enough.
Spoilers don't ruin the show for me at all. In fact, I often like to have an idea of what will happen so I don't miss anything. For anyone not wishing to be spoiled, maybe spoiler sites like DarkUFO are a poor choice of reading material for you.
I used to read a good deal of spoilers. But I realized at some point, they weren't worth it. The show gives you enough to eat for a week, why do you have to be so gluttonous with your Lost?
And the problems with spoilers like this is that some jackass 13 year old is going to read it and then post his "theory" on how the Oceanic 6 get off the Island and then I read his "theory", think it's pretty good and then SHITFACE it was the read deal. People have a very hard time keeping spoiler information from people who avoid them. It kinda sucks.
I really think that if DarkUFO wants to know the spoiler, he should know. But to post it on the Internet as he does is ridiculously irresponsible and rude.
I can see I'm very much in the minority here, but I enjoy discovering spoilers, and I visit sites like Spoilerfix and the spoiler sections of Dark UFO and 9th Wonders regularly.
Other posters here have talked about suspense, surprise, etc., but they're restricting the place where the thrill of that discovery can happen as *only* on the show. I get a thrill out of finding answers and new information in *lots* of places!
I like to read spoilers and then mull them over in the days and weeks before the air date. There have been times when knowing certain things in advance has allowed me to spot related things in an episode that I would have missed otherwise. Sometimes, it's interesting to look at the statements and clues studios release publicly in light of spoilers I already know.
LOST appeals to inquisitive fans, who like following and solving mysteries, uncovering clues and information, etc. For some of us, tracking down spoilers plays right into the same appeal.
I'm glad for Dark, Lostfan108 and the extras and other "spies" to favor us with special insider knowledge. Keep up the great work!
$0.02,
Bob
I'm a great fan of DarkUFO. I get that some fans are spoiler-free--I'm one of them. But I have never had a problem remaining unspoiled by Dark. If you visit his sight, you will see that spoilers comprise a specific tab that the user has to deliberately access to read. He does not allow spoilers in forum discussions or comments in any of the discussions other than in those on the spoiler page. In fact, I never knew that there was a spoiler for the finale until I saw this article.
Besides this, calling into question his fandom is unfounded. DarkUFO runs his sight with other fans on a volunteer basis. If there are new features that users want on the sight, he makes an effort to organize and find volunteers to support them. If he makes ANY money off of running the sight, he certainly earns it. He creates contests and games with prizes to keep us sane during the Lost breaks. He updates the sight often more than once daily. He responds personally to emails and comments directed at him. He even informed his users when he went on vacation and appointed an interrum Dark to keep up with us! All this is not even to mention the administrative work that he must put into the site to keep it running and updated through many time-zones.
I am assured that DarkUFO is not only a fan of the show, but a fan of the fans. And if fans want to remain unspolied, great! Go to sights that you are sure you can trust like this one, and DarkUFO.
I use the Dark Ufo site a lot, and appreciate the work that goes into it.
Part of me really likes the spoilers, and the other part gets disapointed in myself because I just won't wait.
Anyway, I don't think everyone should be mad at the admin at Dark Ufo.
Why Haven't the producers of the show just figure out where the leak is coming from?
I can see it happening once, but two years in a row? ABC needs to figure out who it is that they can not trust and just put an end to it. If it's some entertainment reporter they need to stop releasing the episodes early to them for review.
If it's post production people, figure out whos working for you and put an end to it.
Hey DarkUFO --
Not sure if you're still reading this, but I have something to ask you. Why are you posting the spoilers for part 2 and 3 so early? I'm an op in the Lostpedia IRC chat and we have decided to set the chat to moderated mode, which means only other ops and users who are "voiced" can talk. All regular users are voiced, but it really makes the chat suck for the casual user. We obviously can't remember the nick of every user that has been in the chat before. When someone with a nick we don't recognize joins, we have no choice but to assume they are a troll. It really makes the chat suck for people who don't use it at least a few times a week. Why not wait a little bit longer to release them?
I was originally going to write this entry, but I didn't have any time to until after the episode aired, and that is pretty much an elaborated form of what I was going to say.
Oh, just to clarify, we are only setting the chat to moderated mode after the Lostfan108 spoilers are out. We're normal for now but will be back to it soon.
Damn trolls.
Hi Danhm,
The reason is, as I've already stated, is that if I don't post them by that date, lostfan108 will release them on an unmoderated site and they will spread without any warning and multiple users will get spoiled.
The date is NOT my choice. Given the chance I would not have posted them until 1-2 days before the episode like we've done in the past with InsiderScoop and PostProduxtion Synopsis's for Season 2, 3 and 4.
I have to admit to being a reader of any spoilers I can find. But it doesn't diminish the episode at all.. I actually look forward to it more. The reason is that what I am reading is just words. The actors/actresses make the words come alive. And they are the reason I watch LOST.
great stuff, Dark.. it's obvious to me that some of these people arent even reading your posts...
i personally DO NOT want to be fully spoiled on the finale.. all i want to know is whether or not Locke is in the coffin... that's the only thing i need to know before the show airs because i have to make sure it's not him.. lol.. that may not make sense to some of you.. but it does to me.. and i dont care...
i dont see why some people get so angry.. Dark is doing this the most responsible way he can.. the guy said he was going to leak it somewhere else if Dark didnt post it.. what more do some of you want? it's like you're not even reading Dark's posts...
I think I would rather be teased than spoiled. I try to steer clear of any posts that tell me it is a spoiler. Yes there are questions that have not been answered on the show, but I expect them to come in due time. Have some patience. If you want to write your review of the show, do it just about the time Lost starts, then no one will read it until the show is over.
I'm not sure I understand this argument from Dark...
"if I didn't post the spoilers Lostfan108 said that he would post them on another site, without warning and would have spoiled it for more people. I took it upon myself to release them in the most controlled manner possible unlike last year when Lostfan108 posted them openly on the AICN message boards without any warning."
So are you saying that by controlling the spoiler on the DarkUfo site you are helping to stem the flow of the spoiler on the internet in general? I'm sorry but that is a totally incorrect assumption. If you didn't post the spoiler on the site, you are right, Lostfan108 would just go somewhere else but by posting that spoiler on your site you just become part of the proliferation of the spoiler. It doesn't matter how many flashing spoiler banners or other methods you use to prevent people from accidentally reading it, ultimately you are just part of the problem, not the solution. Choosing to post the spoiler just reeks of self promotion and a cheap way to drive web traffic to your site.
And for those who say "if you don't like reading spoilers, just avoid them" do not realize how hard that becomes when major spoilers are all over the internet. Last season the finale was ruined for me when an entertainment reporter on a local newscast, after Greatest Hits aired, let everyone know that he heard that next weeks episode will include a flash-forward. Is that my fault for watching the news? I had avoided spoilers about the finale and it was ruined for me anyway. I actually emailed that report to complain and he apologized and said he saw it on the internet but didn't realize that would be the big twist at the end of the episode. Now notice what he said, he saw it on the internet. Why is that important? Because sites like DarkUfo and others make the information available. At least if Dark didn't post that, it would have been one less place the spoiler would have appeared. Once again, proving my point that posting it at all is just a part of the problem, not a means for a solution. So this "just don't read spoilers” argument doesn't hold any water because I didn't read any spoilers and I was still spoiled because of the information on the internet.
Such a great debate. I have to chime in and say that I am a spoiler free viewer. Thank you LOSTUNLOCKED! I consider myself an uber-fan of the show. The work generated by the creative team of LOST is unsurpassed in every way. No show has ever generated discussion like LOST, almost no show causes its viewers to sit down and actually write theories about what is going on and no show is as unpredictable as LOST. For this reason I have the utmost respect for what Damon and Carlton head up. My dream is no to meet Matt Fox or Evie, but to someday have lunch with Damon and Carlton and talk LOST. It is for that reason that I feel sad for them when any spoiler comes out big or small. It is a burglary of their work.
Certainly Damon, Carlton et al are most proud of the end of the seasons twists, turns and reveals. You can tell when you hear them in interviews or on podcasts. So I feel their disappointment when the wind is taken out of their sails. It's most defiantly like someone breaking into their home while they're sleeping and stealing their most valued possessions. Totally violated! However, in this corrupt society we live in, it's inevitable. Someone at ABC most likely, wants not to bless all of LOST fandom, but wants to feel important by having access to information that they know is important to lots of people. They get their 15 minutes of fame.
While I am sure LOSTFAN108 has actually violated some agreement they've signed or a copyright law or something along those lines it's just bound to happen. I do think that DARK handles this type of thing in the wisest way he knows how. He genuinely wants to do what he stated above. I have no doubt. By being contacted at all DARK is put in a tough position. Let LOSTFAN throw the spoilers all over ABC, the Fuselage, LOSTPEDIA and anything else he can get his hands on or open himself (DARK) up to such ridicule and try to do damage control? DARK, I hate spoilers like nothing else, but I do think you are doing what is best for LOST fans everywhere.
Best advice to those that don't want to be spoiled in any way- stay away from anything LOST related on the net until its over!
darkufo is always considerate of those who do not want to be spoiled and moderates the comments sections pretty closely to make sure no one is spreading spoilers outside the designated thread.
I think people can both enjoy the spoilers and have them enhance the viewing experience.
If you don't want to read spoilers, then don't. But also make sure you aren't watching Kristen, Ausillio or any other entertainment news, listening to morning drive talk radio, or hanging around the water cooler.
Spoilers happen. Hell, you get a spoiler if you don't turn off the television the moment Lost ends each week, so stop complaining.
Kudos to DarkUFO for being the whipping post that everyone loves to visit!
I like the spoilers,..they do not ruin a thing for me. I use them as insight into what 'may' be coming next, but as we know, a spoiler may not be written in stone. If it is,..I still don't care. I still watch the show, regardless of any spoiler that I may read. I would like to see the spoilers continue.
I like the teasers, not the spoilers. I like the teasers because they advance very little and keep my interest up. I don't like the spoilers that reveal major twists because they do spoil the thrill of watching the show.
But I can stay away from them. All I ask from others is that they mark the content as spoilers clearly at the top of the page.
I don't mind if people publish them or read them, but I think it's important that they mark them as spoilers so that we have a choice.
it's a TV SHOW people. i looked at the spoiler synopsis on Dark UFO: he went through a lot to protect those who don't want to know. to each his own..i don't think it's some moral great debate. if you don't want to know, stay off of those sites. it really isn't that difficult.
I just find it amazing that, because DarkUFO posts it, its assumed that it won't be posted all over the web without warning anyway, which it will be... and if it was that much of a "post under duress" why is it being promoted for days by polls and comments on the website?
Alvin- I am not sure if your "why" was to me or not. But no I don't attach anything negative to spoilers or people who read or post them. I just personally like to wait until after the show has aired to review that sort of thing to see if there was something I missed.
I think people are being way to critical of the DarkUFO site. For people to say that it is an "ego trip" or that "DarkUFO posted the spoilers just to increase the site's exposure and make an extra buck." is ridiculous and unfair. Unless they know him personally they can't say why he posts what he does. If you don't like his site, don't visit it.
To the person that doesn't want to read the spoiler as someone else's theory. If you don't want to be spoiled, then don't read the theory section for the episodes that haven't aired yet.
I support DarkUFO's site and will continue to do so.
Thanks to all the nice comments and support, much appreciated.
At the end of the day:
1) These spoilers WILL get out
2) They can either be released carefully and controlled giving site owners the chance to take measure or they can be released without warning.
3) If people are SO worried about reading the spoilers by some troll reposting, then if it matters so much to you you should simply avoid Lost message boards and forums.
Oh and spoiler.. Vincent is Jacob :)
Just avoid spoilers? Andy we both post at IMDB and we both know there are at least a dozen idiots who post in the subject header things like "spoiler: charlie dies" and "mwhahaha" in the actual posting.
If you cared you would forward the details of Lostfan108 to ABC/Bad Robot but you want the notoriety and of being the Lost Harry Knowles. Go play your poker and stop ruining the show for millions of fans.
BFD. I am chosing not to look at the spoilers, but I applaud DarkUFO for making them available for whomever wants to see them. If you don't want to read them don't - and if some a-hole goes out of his way to trick me into reading them on some other site/board; well, I will survive and I will still enjoy the show. I ignored the warnings last time and read the snake-in-the-mailbox spoiler. I was immediately disappointed that I did, but I still emjoyed the finale.
Some people enjoy spoilers and I have no problem with them enjoying the show in their own way.
One other thing; for me, I consider the risk of being spoiled to be part of the fun in going to so many sites about the show. It's fun to look for tiny details, discuss them with other fans, read the books referenced in the show, read up on authors and academics referenced and yes, dodging spoilers is fun too - IMO.
"If you cared you would forward the details of Lostfan108 to ABC/Bad Robot but you want the notoriety and of being the Lost Harry Knowles."
You know what...this is an even better idea. I am all for exposing this person. Turn them over to ABC so Damon and Carlton can deal with them. As I said before, this person (LOSTFAN108) is probably in violation of some agreement by leaking this info whether it be a work contract or general copyright. Hang 'em high! It's not too late!
I follow and agree with the calls for Lostfan108 to be exposed, rather than the spoilers be released. But where are the $$ in that??
Honor is strongest amongst thieves.
Let's avoid using ad hominem attacks, thank you.
Also, I do agree that spoilers are generally a violation of contract because chances are the person has inside access or whatever, but how is it a violation of general copyright?
I don't think he is taking credit for such things, merely posting it. It's not like he's posting copyrighted material either, just spoilers about what is going to happen. Now if he took scripts and posted them that would be a copyright violation, but since I haven't looked at these spoilers, I don't think that is what he is doing.
Wow I find the "no true fan" comments to be somewhat arrogant. Everyone has their own preference when it comes to how they watch a show. Some people like no spoilers at all, even "next week" trailers or episode titles. Some like a little. Some like to have a play by play. Some people like to watch live, some like to watch it later on tivo, some like to wait for the DVD box set. This world is big enough for all of us. I think DarkUFO is doing a great job with his site and has handled the spoilers responsibly. I'd rather the spoilers get posted there with the proper precautioned than randomly around the internet with no warning.
i've been reading Dark's site for a few years now. I have a shortcut to the spoiler section in my favourites, and i check it several times a day. I didn't read the full synopsis for last year's finale, but i did read the 'part one' that went up yesterday. i havn't decided whether i'll read the other parts or not yet.
funnily enough, i'm in a good position here. I've lived spoiler free, I've lived with spoilers closely followed by episodes and i've lived with just the synopses of episodes. the latter when season 2 was airing in usa and i wasn't in a position to illegally download episodes.
i like spoilers. for me they just increase the anticipation of the episode. knowing how it twists or turns in advance doesn't ruin it. hell, when you read the synopsis you can have your own little WTF moment, then watch it and see if it lives up to your expectation.
the best thing is, reading a synopsis means i'm playing out the scene in my head, like you do when you read a book. you get your own version of the events.
and anyone who says movies are better than books in lying...
i have no doubt that Dark is a huge LOST fan, hell he even berated me once for trying to get someone into trouble over copyright theft in the 'find815' game.
and as for these spoilers ruining the show for none spoiler fans, i moderate a little haven of the lostiverse that has a very strict spoiler policy. it helps me to help those guys that i know in advance what is and isn't a spoiler. and i know the guys on that site have never been ruined by insiderscoop, postprod or lostfan108, so i know it can be done...
Most people don't seem to realize it's not just about avoid reading these spoilers, but also Damon and Carlton probably going into "radio silence" again for the rest of the year. You surely realize they will not be happy about this, why would they? They have the right to be angry, and we will be the ones paying the price, having NO information about the show during until next year. They give us one of the best shows ever, and how do these people thank them? Pissing them off. That's just great.
Who are all you people who can't dodge spoilers? On almost all occasions, pages put up warnings (Lostpedia does a fantastic job of labeling everything) and if DarkUFO has a reputation for ruining things, don't go to that website! It is easy to steer clear of blog sites that are out to ruin the show. Lostpedia has a page devoted to spoilers and locks up the regular episode pages until after.
I could see making the mistake to see a spoiler once, but not every week.
and i really do not understand the concerns of a few people aboult the radio silence that CC & DL may impose after his latest breach...
you dont like spoilers anyway! surely you'd prefer to just wait for the next lot of episodes, in 9 months time...?
When will people realise it isn't just about avoiding spoilers, its about respecting the wishes of the creators of the show.
The creators don't want finale spoilers in particular out there, why is it so hard for people to respect that wish, and actually be surprised?
Last year, because of it they refused to enter ANY discussion of the following season... the famed "radio silence" because of the same site and the similar spoilers... Why are people insisting on doing this again? Can't people just respect their wishes?
I do not bow to the altar of Darlton.
They created a relly cool show - I will enjoy it on my own terms; if I want to read spoilers, I will; guilt free.
And as bent as they were last year; they still dropped the Orchid video at Comic-Con.
But really, why would a spoilerphobe care to hear discussion about the upcoming season? Shouldn't they just be content to sit back and let the series "unfold naturally" ;-)
If you read the actual quotation, you'll see that the spoilers were not the cause for the radio silence.
"...with regard to season four, Carlton and I are going into complete and utter radio silence. I know a lot of people are going to be frustrated, but I think if things had gone a little differently in terms of the finale getting spoiled, we might have been a little more open to talking about it. But now we're all bitter. No, honestly, the reason for the silence is we don’t want to tell the audience what to think about where the show is going to be next year. The way the finale concluded and what happens next is open to interpretation. I think it had a real imaginative quality to it that hopefully engaged the audience's imagination the way the show did when they first saw the pilot."
Let's try and get the facts straight. Yes, they did feel like the line was crossed, but the spoiler themselves were NOT the reason for them not wanting to talk.
Furthermore, they themselves spoiled things, so why wouldn't people get "mad" at that? Because they created the show? Well under the NO SPOILERS logic some of you people have, you should be mad about that too.
I personally have no problem with spoilers, although I hate getting things spoiled to me when I don't want to be spoiled.
However, the main point I'm trying to make is that there IS another viewpoint on this issue and I think you guys need to at least affirm that it exists, whether or not you agree.
If you don't want to read spoilers then one should not look on the internet for them.
and if you are looking for spoilers go to DARKUFO.
I stick to Lostpedia for any questions about Lost and I always avoid spoilers.
soo...stick to Lostpedia and stop complaining about spoilers.
i don't see the issue.
I love Lost spoilers & feel they enhance my understanding and viewing of the show. I love DarkUFO - without him I'd be so confused as to what is going on.
Oddly, Lost is the only show I read spoilers about.
I was spoiler free last season, but when I found out that that website posted it I was furious. It really would cripple the episode experience.
Again, I'm ignoring spoilers, but I really do wonder how this spoiler source hasn't been shut down. Wasn't there an investigation last year because only like 12 people knew the ending? I think I'm most surprised they haven't been caught yet.
Although, I do believe spoilers should be out there for people who NEED them. I do prefer vague spoilers like the ones Ausiello posts.
Mark makes some great points.. to some people this is just a flippin' TELEVISION SHOW as incredible as that may seem..
If one's so vehemently anti-spoiler to the point of getting visibly shaken.. why not use your OWN bevy of time and/or resources to "expose" lostfan108 after the finale airs?
Waste your time a petition, an E-campaign, doing SOMETHING that expends some real EFFORT other than just espousing flippant criticisms in an LP comments thread then GOING ABOUT YOUR DAY... maybe that's all some of you want to do.. meh, each their own, lol.
Honestly, many a spoilerphobe reads like this: "It may sound like all i want Darkufo to do is stop with the spoilers.. but what i'm REALLY getting at is if Darkufo wants us to consider him a real 'LOST fan', he's gotta spend all his 'website fortune' to find LOSTFAN108, then march over to his house and flagellate him til the sins on Dark's hands are awash in LOSTFAN108's blood. Darlton be praised! Meanwhile, i'll make comment section dogmas, watching carefully while lounging atop my own moral high ground."
The ball's in YOUR court spoilerphobes.. if YOU want this to end then YOU do something about it.
But soon realize that if the Altar of Darlton can't seem to plug these leaks then they just might be unavoidable. UNLESS you can STAY OFF LOST SITES UNTIL AFTER THE FINALE AIRS.. It's your problem, it's NOT going away, so DEAL..
DarkUFO can come up with any justification he wants for posting these major spoilers, and he can be even spin it so that he makes himself out to be a kind of hero because if he didn't do Lostfan108 would post them somewhere else. That's his right.
But it doesn't change the fact that DarkUFO's website was singled out last year as the main reason why the Lost Boys went into "radio silence." How do you justify that one, bud?
It's not your responsibility to deal with Lostfan108, and I find it a very convenient ultimatum for your web-traffic that you simply MUST post these spoilers on your website or Lostfan108 will post them everywhere. You're like an American hero!
Damon and Carlton don't like what you're doing. They have said so publicly. And yet you call yourself a fan and say you're supportive of the show. Actions speak louder than words, I'm afraid, and it's pretty clear the only thing you support is your own interests.
I don't see why it's a difficult concept for some responders here that supporting these point-by-point spoilers is a horrible injustice to everyone concerned. Again, the concept that the spoiler will just go elsewhere is erroneous. Tell them to go elsewhere; in all likelyhood, Lostfan108 would not be able to get it out to enough people to make a huge difference on the internet. By putting it on a well populated site, regardless of how it is hidden by the owner, it opens the spoilers up to a bigger audience of people to copy the spoilers to other venues, including LP where our great Admins will then have to go into overdrive to remove it and block/ban the people adding it. It's a crappy thing to do to the audience, who cannot avoid such nonsense no matter how hard we try because some idiot will always "fo