By Audrey McCartney, ’12, Contributor
Despite its final season, each episode of Lost brings new questions, excitement, and even confusion. I strongly believe that the title not only describes the passengers’ situation, but also blatantly indicates the emotion the audience feels while watching the show. So why do I love Lost?
1. Plot
The plot seems simple; a plane has wrecked on an island and the passengers struggle to find ways to get off the island. However, this is no run-of-the-mill deserted isle. From the whispering in the forest to the “Others” snatching people in the middle of the night, the island has secrets that terrify both passenger and viewer. When the castaways discover ancient structures, sophisticated technology and a whole slew of people who can easily navigate around the island, it is clear that this island had a past long before Oceanic Flight 815 ever crashed. Throughout the 6 thrilling seasons, episode after episode, Lost has left the viewers feeling anxious, puzzled, and wondering if it is truly the characters’ fate to stay on the island forever.
2. Characters
The fantastic cast that is in Lost adds to the thrill and mystery of the island. We learn about the 14 main characters through flashbacks and flash-forwards and see the mistakes they have made in their life and what will happen to them. Every character seems to be related to another on the island and as new characters enter the plotline, they also connect with our castaways. Though just trying to keep up with the flashbacks, flash-forwards, and the “sideways” gives me whiplash, it is interesting to see what connections I can make with each new episode.
3. Cliff-hangers
It seems that after every exciting and nail-biting episode, the next is less action-packed and focuses on a different aspect of the plot than what I want. Just when I’m absolutely dying to find out what happens next, the episode ends and the next week’s episode picks up in another place. However, good luck skipping an episode if it doesn’t seem interesting, because inevitably you will miss a crucial piece of information that could be the key that unlocks the mystery of the island.
4. The End
Unlike Gilligan’s Island where the show was canceled before the castaways were ever rescued, all faithful Lost viewers know that there will be an end (and may even be keen for that day to come!) Will all of the questions that have accumulated through the years be answered? It’s improbable, for who can even remember every loose end? With only a few episodes remaining, everyone I know is eager to see which candidate will be chosen or find out why the island is so special. I am holding my breath that I get my answers and pray that the writers are able to unweave the tangled web they have woven.
LOST is on ABC Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Lost episodes are also available to watch on www.abc.com. My tip if YOU are lost: tune in at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays to catch last week’s episode with clues and hints on the bottom of the screen!
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