Lost Review

Lost is the coolest scripted show on television.  It's smart television.  It keeps you guessing and thinking long after the episode is over.  In fact, I catch myself thinking about Lost way too often.  My hubby and I have a running joke that if I'm being quiet for more than a minute or two, it's because I'm thinking about Lost, and the messed up part is that more often than not, it's true.  The show is totally engaging.  It really gets your wheels turning.  I don't think I've ever seen a scripted show that was so mentally interactive.  If you came upon two Lost fans talking about the show and didn't know any better, you'd more likely assume they were discussing an intellectually stimulating work of real literary merit than a network primetime television show.   

The writing is superb.  The show is huge and full of lots of plots going on at the same time and tons of connections between the characters and tie ins with real life history and culture.  It's so rich.  Most tv is fairly thin and simple, and Lost isn't. In fact, it's often almost too much stuff to digest.  I love that about it because everyone picks up on different things and it gives you tons of stuff to think about and talk about.  But I could see how the depth and richness and complexity could be a bit overwhelming.

All of the acting is terrific.  The cast is huge and everyone is great at playing their part. The setting is breathtaking. 

The only thing I would change about the show is that the network is a bit slow about releasing new episodes and seasons.  Last season was aired disconnectedly, almost like it was two seasons, and there was a huge gap between that season and the upcoming 4th season.  Sure, it gives you more time to think about and absorb things, and something to look forward to, but the suspense is a bit too long for my taste.

If you don't have time to become very very interested in a show, Lost may not be for you.  It's not the kind of show you can casually watch an episode of every now and then and enjoy the same as a regular viewer.  Aside from it being so engrossing, it's a connected series, rather than a series of episodes.  It isn't a bunch of episodes that just feature the same characters and situation each week, but you can watch in random order and miss one here and there and still enjoy just as much.  Lost is a continuous story that if you just tune in every now and then, you'll be very confused, and will miss out on alot of the intrigue.  Also, I don't recommend just jumping in and watching the newest season without also going back and watching the old seasons first (or at least fairly simultaneously).  But I think as soon as you watch an episode or two, you'll crave it enough to watch the old seasons obsessively.