10/10
I imagine my relationship with ABC’s sci-fi drama Lost to be somewhat abusive. We have tons of passion, but it constantly pushes me away, leaves me yelling at the TV, and disappears for long periods of time. Like many relationships, Lost leaves me confused, and never gives me exactly what I need, but I can’t help coming back for more. First introduced to us in 2004, no viewer could have foreseen the rollercoaster that creators J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindeloff, and Jeffrey Lieber, had in store for us. Now a full-fledged pop culture phenomenon, Lost has gone from an updated Gilligan’s Island to the most dynamic and mind-blowing series in years.
Lost prides itself on mastering the art of suspense. The writers should just take a bow for efficiently fucking with our heads week after week with convoluted storylines that confuse even the most devoted of fans. The masterminds behind the show have brought us some of the most original ideas on our TV screens today. For example, a box that will produce whatever you wish, a monster made out of smoke, and an invisible man named Jacob. Not to mention, the location is an island that won’t let women have children and can possibly cure ailments. Despite having seen every episode of Lost, it continues to puzzle me from week to week. It brings more to the table than most viewers can handle, creating an entirely new universe in which the rules are constantly changing. Watching them survive for four years has been captivating because we can relate to these people through the narratives of their past. The severe emotional trauma endured by the characters, and their reappearing histories, connect us to them even more.
Season three ended with an abundance of shake-ups on the island. Our beloved reformed junky rock star, Charlie (Dominic Monaghan), sacrificed himself for the greater good of the island, however, not before issuing an ominous message. The stranded victims finally made contact with a group of people claiming to come to their rescue. What really turned the show upside down is the dramatic change in the formula. Up until last season, Lost was cut between island life and flashbacks to the castaways’ lives before Oceanic Flight 815 crashed. At the end of last season, we were surprised with a flash into the future life of everyone’s island hero, and sexy eye candy, Jack (Matthew Shepard). Desperate to get back onto the island, crying to the gods “We have to go back,” future Jack, pitiful and adorned with a drunkard’s beard, is abandoned by future Kate (Evangaline Lilly) one last time. At least this lets us know they get off the island eventually. Apparently things don’t go so well afterwards.
The dramatic switch continues with the opening of season four, which premiered Thursday, January 31. This time, everyone’s best bud Hurley (Jorge Garcia) was the one plagued with demons after his return, seeing visions of deceased friend Charlie after being committed to an insane asylum. Though the future may look grim, the action on the island wasn’t promising either. The castaways were once hopeful that those on the rescue mission had good intentions. Now, as a result of multiple events, suspicions have been aroused within the group. Charlie’s final message before he drowned hinted that these rescuers were not who they claimed to be. Those in tune with the mysterious powers of the island tried to warn everyone of the supposed invaders. Ben, the mastermind of “The Others,” claimed that if these emissaries arrive, they will kill everyone. Once a cohesive family unit, the castaways have finally broken apart—some going with John Locke, one of “The Others,” and many remaining with their faithful leader, Jack. Each one is fighting for his survival. Life on the island will never be the same. The premiere concluded with another new face parachuting onto the island. Season four has officially begun and the tension is mounting.
Like any show with a devoted base, Lost’s spoilers have been released by deceiving producers, or dug up by crazed fans that couldn’t wait for each episode. Some of season four’s possible secrets have already been leaked. Look forward to a Kate pregnancy scare, a handful of new faces, relationships rekindled, and the long-awaited return of Michael, the only castaway to escape from the island successfully.
After eight long months, there is finally sweet relief with eight new episodes coming our way. Since we have to wait until the series finale in 2010 for all the answers, I wouldn’t expect anything weirder than usual just yet. Like always, the premiere, “The Beginning of the End,” clutched its secrets close and only gave us minor clues to what’s in store. Notorious for asking more than answering questions, Lost leaves fans feeling like addicts itching for a fix.
