Fans of the TV series Lost -- a question

[Ron Obvious]

I haven't watched TV as such for decades, but sometimes I binge-watch a series that was popular many years earlier, 2,or 3 episodes a night, every night. I've done the X-files, Twin Peaks, Rome and several more that way. I recommend this approach to anyone who doesn't care about watercooler conversations about last night's TV show.

I'm currently on to episode 3, series 2 of 'Lost'. I enjoyed the first series, especially the "don't tell me what I can't do" episode. I don't think most of the characters are all that strongly written though, appearing to be mostly a bag of stock characters with a little pat story attached explaining how they got that way. That's OK. The story is what's kept me watching so far. But I'm ready to throw in the towel.

I'm enough of a veteran of shows like the Twilight Zone that I have strong suspicions that either the survivors of the plane crash are living in the afterlife, or they are the only survivors of humanity in a world destroyed by a nuclear holocaust or something like that. No spoilers, though, please!

I'm slowly beginning to suspect something about the writers of this show:

I think they're making it up as they're going along.

Look, I don't need everything explained to me. I like ambiguities and mystery, and I enjoy David Lynch films. That's not it.

I get the impression that the writing sessions for this show went like this:

"Hey Fred, you know what would be really cool? A numbers station in a bunker on the island with no apparent entrance or egress!"

"That's beautiful, Charlie. I'm still trying to come up with an explanation for that damn polar bear we had in the first series. Any ideas?"

"Ah, just don't worry about it. That polar bear was awesome and the viewers just think it meant something that they can't figure out if we don't bother explaining it. It'll make the show edgy."

The bunker WAS interesting. Number stations ARE interesting. But what's with this contrivance of having to hit that number sequence every 108 minutes? Nobody in all that time figured out how to write a program simulating some keypresses every hour and a half? I mean, what's the point anyway? Why make someone do that? And with all the millions spent on the place, didn't they think a few backup Apple II's might be a good idea?

I get the feeling the writers were veteran D&D game masters who stocked their dungeons randomly with vicious monsters living next to other vicious monsters in adjacent dungeon rooms, whose only purpose was to guard the treasure and be killed by the player characters, without worrying about the overall narrative.

Oh, and now there was this great big damn side door the whole time and the guy could've gotten out at any time? What's the point of the sealed tower entrance then? And why is there a window?

I turned it off in disgust.

My question is this: There are several more seasons of this and before I invest any more time in this series, I want to know if there is going to be a rewarding and interesting story here, or is it all going to be like this?

Thanks in advance! Not looking to start an argument about your favourite show, honestly!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. Lost was one of the best things ever on the tv machine.

Just my opinion, along with millions of other people.

[Ron Obvious]

4. No doubt.

I'm not arguing about whether anyone should or should not like the show. But with all that I've told you about my reactions at this point, do you think I will like the rest of the show enough to invest any more time in it?

[OffWithTheirHeads]

6. Absolutly. Some episodes, like all tv, are a little flat. Hey, not every show is Newsroom

But I guarentee that you will never guess what's coming next!predictable it is not

[Auggie]

2. I stopped watching LOST at the same time ...

and for the same reason. If you're looking for a replacement series, may I suggest The Sopranos, Six Feet Under or Justified? Either are infinitely better and neither were/are controlled by clueless ABC executives or unnecessarily hindered by network censorship.

[Ron Obvious]

7. Thanks for the tips!

I haven't watched any of those yet, but some of the other cable shows like Rome and Spartacus are incredible! One of the reasons I stopped watching TV so long ago is all the censorship and commercials on TV. It's hard to sustain dramatic narrative if you get interrupted every 15 minutes by dancing bears trying to sell toilet paper. Cable's been a godsend.

[sarge43]

18. Oldie, but goldie: The Wire

Doesn't have a satisfactory ending because real life seldom does. However, the writing and acting, some of the best ever.

[Lionel Mandrake]

36. The Wire is the best TV series ever made.

I'm currently binging on CSI: Miami, which is to The Wire what a comic book is to Shakespeare.

But CSI: Miami was shot mostly near where i live, which is neither Baltimore nor Miami, but a suburb of Los Angeles. It's fun to spot local landmarks.

[freshwest]

3. I don't do TV, but found LOST being used on youtube by friends making videos.

Then I watched the whole thing on HULU.

If I tell you why that happens, it would be a spoiler. I don't think they made it up as they went along, because the end is like the beginning. IOW, it's complete.

I'll tell you the reason if you really are prepared to toss in the towel. And the themes in the show are from some - uh, philosophy or occult story. There are meanings in all those events.

[Ron Obvious]

5. OK, that's one vote to continue.

Appreciate it, thanks!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

8. Two votes!

[Ron Obvious]

9. Noted!

The vote stands at 2 to 1 in favour of continuing at this point.

[Lisa0825]

10. I was an avid watcher the first 3 or 4 seasons, but I got frustrated...

with so many random things starting and not being resolved before bringing in new twists. I really LOVED the show, and it was my favorite for at least 3 years. Before it ended, I caught up on the seasons I missed in a marathon session, and then watched the finale.

I did really enjoy the last season and the wrap-up.

I really wish that series writers would have an entire series arc planned and play it all out rather than "winging it."

[Ron Obvious]

11. OK, 3-1 to continue, then.

Although I note with some trepidation that my concern about the writers winging it is not entirely unjustified.

I had the same reaction to the X-files and its mythology arc, but I never got this sudden anger and feeling like I'd been played reaction before.

Now that you mention it, I recall there was some grumbling about the final episode a couple of years ago which apparently didn't satisfy everyone.

I'm going to watch something else for the next few days in any case, but I'm now starting to lean towards continuing...

[Ron Obvious]

12. Anyone else care to weigh in?

Currently it's 3-1 in favour of continuing on but I'd like to hear some more opinions.

[hibbing]

13. Loved it

Hi,
I missed the first few years, then went on a marathon, and then watched the rest when they ran on the tv. I thought it was great and loved all the twists and turns. I'm not sure I "got it" after it was all done though. I suppose I could start all over and watch them all again.

I agree with one of the the previous posts that it is one of the better shows that has been on.

Peace

[Ron Obvious]

14. 4-1 in favour

Thanks!

[Frank Cannon]

15. I've always called it Twin Peaks Syndrome.

Because it's the same thing that killed that show and also ruined the X-Files. It's when it becomes obvious that there ARE NO SOLUTIONS to the big mysteries that a show presents and that the writers are just pulling stuff out of their asses to try to keep the gravy train running. It's when my interest in a serial TV drama goes down to zero.

[Ron Obvious]

23. I don't think Twin Peaks lasted long enough...

I certainly agree about the x-files, though, but I never got this hollow feeling that I was being played for a sucker that I did with Lost. Twin Peaks had a flabby middle after the murderer of Laura Palmer was revealed and it didn't pick up again until the final episodes. I don't worry about explanations there too much, because I consider that David Lynch movies are supposed to be felt, like poetry, rather than as considered as a story.

I agree that the problem with most TV series is the format itself

OK 4-2 now.

[Duer 157099]

16. I'd say let it go

From what I recall, there was never any satisfactory ending. And I never lost the feeling that they were winging it as they went along.

I watched it all but I could have done without it.

So many other shows that actually are worthwhile. IMHO.

[Ron Obvious]

24. 4-3

Thanks, that's what I was beginning to fear.

[walkerbait41]

17. It`s a no from us

Try The Walking Dead

[Ron Obvious]

25. 4-4

Opinions about this show are as divided in the larger world as they are here at Obvious Manor, it seems.

[CBGLuthier]

19. It is worth the effort

Third season will drag a bit though.

They were indeed making some of it up as they went but they had more or less an idea where they are going and it mostly makes sense at the end.

One thing about the show is each season makes an adjustment and at times the show almost reinvents itself.

If you want something that was very much pre-planned check out Babylon Five.

[Ron Obvious]

26. 5-4

Thanks for weighing in!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

20. I enjoyed it immensely. I'll also freely admit....

....that I didn't know what was going on half the time, that the writers probably did make a lot of things up as they went along, and they left a lot of questions unanswered in the end..

That being said, that didn't detract overall from my enjoyment of the show. I just kind of went with the flow regardless of whatever unaswered questions I might have had. I also will admit I liked the finale--not everyone did, but I think it's the best we could have asked for. It wasn't as much a deus ex machina (which it would have to be if they attempted to answer all the questions) but rather more like the avoidance of a deus ex machina.

[Ron Obvious]

27. A cautious 6-4 it is.

Your last sentence is intriguing...

[The2ndWheel]

21. You're right and you're wrong

I'd say watch the rest of the show to find out how and why on both counts.

[Ron Obvious]

28. 7 - 5, thanks! n/t

[Taverner]

22. My honest opinion: Not rewarding ending

They tie shit up in such a Deus Ex Machina way that I'm surprised there weren't riots in front of the ABC building the next day

[Ron Obvious]

29. 7-6 in favour now.

I did hear something about widespread unhappiness about the conclusion at the time, but I never spoke with anyone who'd watched it before.

[RiffRandell]

30. Agree.

Loved the show, watched every episode but hated the ending.

I'd still recommend it.

[1morelib]

31. Save yourself now

Only keep watching if you can take the disappointment of the up in the air ending. All the cool, mysterious twists and turns will not be explained. At least that is how our family felt about it.

[Ron Obvious]

32. Tied at 7-7...

I just watched a tiny 5 foot nothing slip of a girl repeatedly punching out a big, muscled hard man. That's just ridiculous! My irritation levels are rising.

[TwoBears]

33. My Vote

would be to continue. I watched it marathon style myself so I didn't have to wait week to week. I may have lost interest that way. There are, of course, some episodes that drag and some things that were a little too zen for me, but I really did like the show.

[Ron Obvious]

37. 8-7, the 'yes' vote pulls ahead again.

Thanks!

[undeterred]

34. Different people got different things out of LOST

I don't play video games so I don't relate to some of your questions.

I do think its one of the finest shows ever to be on television, even if it doesn't always hang together that well. For me it was not so much about the plot as about the characters and their backstories.

The plot doesn't hang together and make sense, even when its all over. I missed a year in there somewhere. And even though I watched a lot of reruns, I had trouble jumping around in time. So the plotline kind of lost me. But the main characters you get into deeper and deeper. I loved Jack. He was a great central character. So was Kate.

I sobbed through the final episode. But I was plugged into it on a character driven emotional level and on that level it was a very satisfying close. As the close of a plot, maybe not so much. So- it all depends how you relate to the story.

And Yes, I do think they made it up as they went along, at least partially - but that's a legitimate way of writing a story.

I forgot about the polar bear - really wasn't worried about it.

[Ron Obvious]

38. I don't play video games either

I don't play video games either. The D&D reference was about the old Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Some Dungeon masters would create worlds or dungeons by just stuffing any old thing in there that might be interesting, without worrying about whether the whole ensemble made sense or why those things should be there.

I'm not sure I agree that making it up as you go along is a legitimate way of writing a story. It's OK not to know how it's going to turn out, but I'd say every item you place in the story has to have a reason for being there. Not just because it sounded interesting and you're going to come with a reason later.

Still. 9-7 now.

[Munificence]

35. Continue

Wife started watching Lost earlier this year via NetFlix on her Kindle. I seen that it was consuming her time and she was into it (she usually is not one to obsess over things), so I told her I'd start watching it and get caught up with her and then we could start watching it together.....yeah right! I beat her by a week!

I know I thought at times the story was pretty stupid and not well thought out/made crap up as they go. But it was well worth it in the end. Even though I was a little disappointed at the end, it was still worth watching.

[Ron Obvious]

39. 10-7.

I think I'll be giving it another chance after a brief hiatus.

[charlie and algernon]

40. Another vote to continue

I agree that at times it looks like they're making it up as they go, especially in Season 4. But even in its worst, it was still far better than most shows on TV.

[Ron Obvious]

41. 11-7 now

It occurs to me that my experience of rapid viewing is an entirely different experience than those who watched this show when it was on experienced, so maybe this show's flaws manifest itself more when you watch it that way.