From the opening, when Jack faced the devastation of Oceanic
Flight 815's crash to the final moments when Jack's eyes closed on the island, Lost was an absolute experience. Even in
its weaker moments (I'm looking at you season 2), it combined intricate
storytelling with complex characters and a mythology of its own. Just as
you thought one mystery was uncovered, a new one emerged, and just as one
"ultimate" villain was revealed, a new one bigger and badder crept
into Lost. Just as you pegged someone one
way, they were revealed in a new and clearer light. Just as you thought
you were in the present, you were in the past,you were in the future, you were
in another world.
Using Jack's "live together, die
alone," motto, Lost was about flawed characters and love
above all else. Just try not to cry thinking of Charlie's sacrifice, or
Jin and Sun's evolving love, or of Jack's final moments with Vincent the dog.
Everyone had favorite characters. I couldn't help but love the
creepy/intriguing Ben Linus and the jumbled/genius of Daniel Faraday. Everyone
had...not so favorite characters. Ana Lucia anyone? Lost didn't always make its fans happy.
The finale shook its fan base, splitting opinions. Even still, none can
deny its lasting impact.
No other show
that I can think of turned a single prolonged piano note into the scariest
sound on television. No other show required almost religious viewing to
even hope to understand what was going on. Not only does it stay on the
minds of its collective fans, but it also stands tall and ominous as the
standard for new high concept television shows. Thus far, no show has
been able to handle the pressure.
FlashFoward, a show about the world
seeing glimpses of the future, crashed and burned despite initial excitement. Jericho only lasted a few
seasons, which is better than The Event, Terra Nova, and The River, which each only survived a season. The
shows ranged in quality in both storytelling and character development, but
none stood well next to Lost.
It can be argued that the standards and expectations are too high for
these high concept stories, but shouldn't it be? Truly profound landmark
shows are rarities. Sadly however, many of these shows could have
developed into almost Lost worthy stories if they were given the
chance. Many shows were squashed very early if they didn't maintain high
ratings for the high concept. Lovers of Lost, including myself, are given a whiplash
as viewers and are hesitant to commit to any of the new attempts at
Lost-like grandeur, fearing they'll be canceled before any mysteries are
solved. No one wants to love something that will get snatched away so
quickly.
Even so, I have the Lost hope that a great and epic show is out
there to fill a the hole left in Lost's wake. I keep giving shows a
chance, especially if J.J. Abrams, the MAN behind Lost, Alias, Super 8, and of course the reboot of Star Trek, is attached. I keep getting burned by cancelled
shows, but I can't help myself. I have hope that there is a show like Lost, somewhere out there, probably in the
mind of Abrams.
The newest hope can
be found in Revolution, a show about all power shutting down in the
world, leading to a brave new world order. The trailer looks promising,
with wild explorers meets the future themes.Watch it here: Revolution I think, even
knowing the fear of a high concept/high anticipation, I can't resist the hope.
After all Lost lovers, if we don't watch together,
the shows will die alone.
I now am jonesing for some Lost. Can I borrow your set? :)
ReplyDeleteLost is on Instant Netflix! :) I only own the first season.
ReplyDelete