At this point in its run, ABC’s “Lost” is a fairly well known show. It is supposed to conclude this year, finally, in a surprising and monumental fashion. While possible, this seems unlikely. SPOILER ALERT: I’m pretty sure the whole show is just a) someone’s dream or b) some large practical joke on society about how humans are so dumb that they will watch a show without a plot. I am praying it’s the latter.
This particular author—moi—does not have a gripe with Lost in particular, but with the general trend of crappy drama/sci-fi television shows. Nonetheless, while I am writing this, I may as well complain a little about the most confusing show on earth:
As of last season, there has been a dump-load of time travel. Necessary? Not in the least. Super cool? Not especially. Mainly, the point of all this temporal confusion is to cause genuine confusion in the viewers. However, I think I understand the writers’ logic: if we have no idea what the hell is going on, how can we possibly complain about the plot? Well this particular author sees through your little scheme, “writers”, and wants you to consider this an official complaint.
I have also realized, more dishearteningly, that the overarching theme of the show has nothing to do with an island, characters, emotions, or any of that average mumbo-jumbo. The point of Lost is to pose questions. Unfortunately, those questions are not moral or philosophical in nature nor do they examine society and its problems. The questions serve, in essence, to keep the viewers hooked—and golly gee it works beautifully. I have been watching Lost since season two and consider myself a fan. I thought I knew everything there was to know about Lost until I realized there was nothing to know at all. What is the island that they landed on? Where is it? Why are they traveling in time? Who the hell was that polar bear in the pilot episode? Is he friendly? These are just a few of the zillions of question this show has forced me to ask myself. Maybe some have made deep and meaningful personal discoveries from staring these questions in the face, but I have just found myself frustrated.
Before I continue to digress and rant about my favorite tv show, I would like to reveal the true raison d’etre of this post: ABC should not create another series to replace Lost. I’ve seen their two current contenders—V and Flash Forward–and they are simply Lost 2.0 but with different characters and settings. The plot is still thinly woven and there are still so many unknowns.
Lost is special because I am dying for answers. When I started watching Lost I wasn’t expecting to have so many questions and doubts after the fifth season. Now, with V or Flash Forward, I can only assume that I will have a similar amount of curiosities far after season one is over. You’ve already played your hand of mystery ABC, please don’t ruin a good and successful idea by copying it and repackaging it as new. Some may stick with you, but others, like myself, will see through your thinly veiled guise.
Perhaps instead of leaving me with thousands of unknowns and questions left to be answered, maybe you could make a show all about answers and solutions? Just a thought.
