How I Found LOST

It started for me on December 18, 2006. It reached monumental proportions on May 23, 2007. It will start up again on January 31, 2008.

What is IT?

IT is my obsession. IT is the best show I’ve ever seen on television. IT is the reason I’m writing this column.

IT, quite simply, is LOST.

I’ve been wanting to write about LOST for the longest time. As you can see above, I’ve been watching this show for a little over a year. LOST has taken me through an incredible roller-coaster journey of highs and lows while somehow still maintaining my interest with an amazing blend of drama, mystery, and unforgettable characters. LOST is truly one of a kind.

What follows is my story of LOST. How I started watching. How I almost gave up on LOST. My favorite moments. My favorite characters. My theories. My predictions. Basically, what follows is anything and everything that I can think of in order for you to better understand my LOST experience. For it truly is an experience in every definition of the word.

THE BEGINNING

One man introduced me to LOST. That man just so happens to be Kris Frank. As I sit here and write this, I wish there was a way that I could thank him. A way I could pay him back for this incredible show that he has given me. One day I hope I get that opportunity. We’ll see.

The funny thing is, after one week of watching LOST I was ready to kill him.

We’ll get to that in a bit.

I owe a lot to Kris and his twin (yet somehow better looking) brother Nic (I kid, I kid.). They have been two of my best friends dating all the way back to Freshman year of high school. We’ve gone through a lot together. Whether it be getting passed over in varsity basketball, playing poker on Saturday mornings, winning scavenger hunts, assembling the undefeated Pin Pals, or just experiencing memorable trips in the Beast, we’ve done it all together. Now, we are experiencing LOST together.

Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “A friend is a gift you give yourself.” If that is true then I did one helluva job.

Well, my LOST story first takes place at the Franks’ house on a cold December night. We were doing what we usually do, sitting around, playing some cards, watching a movie and drinking a few beers. Crazy stuff does go on at the Franks (see truth or dare, dinner dates, and diaper full of beans night), but this was not one of those occasions. The discussion, somehow, turned to LOST. Kris was an avid fan while Nic had some mild interest. The Franks had already hooked me on The Office and it appeared Kris was trying to do the same with LOST.

I had heard of LOST but had never watched a single scene from any episode. I was clueless. Kris gave his best attempt to talk me through the first two seasons. To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what he was talking about. I remember a hatch, a polar bear, a smoke monster, and a doctor. That’s all I got from Kris recapping the first 40+ episodes in a little under an hour. Needless to say, I was not that excited or intrigued following that discussion.

However, after letting all of Kris’ information sink in, Nic and I decided to give LOST a try. Passion, in its truest form, is more contagious than any disease. As mentioned previously, my obsession (some would call it a sickness oddly enough) began on the 18th of December back in 2006.

On that day in December we watched the first 8 episodes, or the equivalent of about 6 and a half hours of LOST. The next day we watched four more episodes, and would continue watching 4 episodes every day until we had gone through the entire first season in five days. 24 LOST episodes in 5 days. Kris would watch most, and their sister Alex would watch some with us as well. But Nic and I were the consistent, we were there for every single one of those two dozen episodes.

My attitude was leaning towards skepticism for the first few days of viewing LOST. Yeah the monster making noise at the end of the first episode was pretty cool, and yeah it was awesome that a guy who was in a wheel-chair before the crash could now suddenly walk. However, I wasn’t buying it. It seemed like a bunch of questions and mysteries were going unanswered. I was frustrated.

The thing that almost killed it for me was the season finale of the first season. Without going into too much detail, the main theme surrounding the 1st season was this hatch that one of the survivors had stumbled on. The ongoing issue was how to open the hatch, and the ongoing mystery was what was inside of it. Well, I thought that in the finale, answers to both of those questions would be answered. I was wrong. The final scene in the 1st season is of the hatch blown up, with the survivors peering down to the bottom of it.

End scene.

I was furious. Almost 20 hours in five days had gotten me nowhere. I was very fortunate that we would be watching the beginning of the 2nd season in just three short days (planned X-Mas break). Had I been watching LOST when it aired originally on ABC, I would have quit after season one. My thought process was that I had never seen a show raise so many questions and answer so few. I needed to be saved.

Desmond saved me. Desmond just so happened to be in that hatch. The thought of a person being down there had never crossed my mind. I thought it was genius. I was beginning to see the light.

We finished the second season on January 4th, 2007. Somewhere between the 18th of December and the 4th of January I became hooked. It is hard to pinpoint an exact moment (the introduction of Desmond would be up at the top) but a particular quote from a man named Henry Gale was the proverbial bait on the line of LOST that I bit on and haven’t let go of since.

“You guys got any milk?”

As funny and bizarre as that sounds, that quote, said by Henry Gale at the end of “The Whole Truth” absolutely did it for me. If you haven’t seen any part of LOST then I’m sure this line would be a bit confusing taken completely out of context. Be that as it may, that line by Henry Gale was the clinching statement.

After watching the six season three episodes via the internet in early January, I was all caught up for the return of LOST on February 7th, 2007. I was now on the same level that Kris was, just six short weeks ago when he introduced me to LOST. I was ready.

Watching LOST live on television was a new experience. I never had to wait a full week for the next episode before. I never had to sit through commercials. I never got the full effects of dramatic pauses throughout the show either. It was a new yet rewarding experience. Sixteen straight brand-new episodes gave me a reason to be excited each and every Wednesday night from February all the way through May. I watched most of those sixteen episodes by myself, so as not to be bothered. There is nothing worse than someone asking questions in the middle of a never-before-seen episode.

However, I was able to watch a season three episode in the same place where this whole mess got started. At the Franks’ house, Kris, Nic and myself all watched “Greatest Hits,” which was the last episode before the finale. It was a little different watching the new episode back in the Franks’ basement. I don’t know of a better way to put it, but it just didn’t feel the same. This is probably due to the fact that we only watched the one show and not four or eight shows in one sitting. After the show we each gave our predictions for the finale and theories for the show in general. It was a great time.

For the season three finale, I invited Devin, Koby, and J-RO all over to my house for the festivities. We did a little pre-gaming, which included some ping-pong, Guitar Hero and EWO euchre. The finale itself was truly amazing. The big surprise was that they showed a flash-forward instead of the usual flash-back that they include with each episode. Apparently both Jack and Kate get off the island. It was ridiculous. My favorite moment of the finale was when Hurley went and got the Dharma van and ran over the Others. Sayid then went on to snap a dude’s neck with just his feet. It was unbelievable. I found myself clapping, dishing out high-fives, and genuinely rooting for my guys.

This is not where my LOST story ends. Oh no. That was my basic recap of how I became introduced to LOST. Next up is how I have evolved as a LOST fan.

EVOLUTION

It is well-documented (by me) that I struggled early on with LOST. I was growing tired of all the questions with no answers as the show just seemed to grow into one huge soap opera at times. I have grown from that point in my understanding of LOST, although I can completely agree with my feelings at the time. I needed to take a step back from LOST, I mean I had been watching it, discussing it, and reading about it for six consecutive months. A break was necessary.

After my two month hibernation from LOST, I returned feeling refreshed and renewed. I went to the nearby Family Video and started at the only place I knew how, the beginning. Re-watching LOST episodes are just as good as watching them the first time. You know when the big surprises are coming, but you tend to pick up on different things that went unnoticed during the first viewing. This is how my evolution process began.

When watching LOST the very first time, I focused on all of the events that were unfolding: the plane wreck, the hatch, the smoke monster, the numbers, and of course the Others. I wanted answers. I needed them. However, after watching every LOST episode at least twice, my focus has shifted, and I am very glad that it did. See, when you focus on the event aspect of LOST, you miss its best part, the characters, their developments, and their interactions with other characters.

Death plays such a crucial role on LOST. Several characters have perished (too many to even count) during their time on the island, including main characters as well. When re-watching the deaths of Boone, Shannon, Libby, and especially Charlie, I got a little choked up. Their deaths hit me much harder the second and third time around than they did when I watched them originally. It was as if I lost a piece of the show when those characters passed. That’s the ironic thing about life though. In order to come full circle in your life, you must die. LOST is no different it seems.

I no longer concern myself with what is going on or off the island. It doesn’t concern me. My favorite episode from season three did absolutely nothing to advance the overall story lines. Instead, it focused on Hurley getting the Dharma van to work. I loved how Hurley progressed throughout the entire episode and the genuine reactions of Sawyer and Jin (“HURRLEE!”) when the van started up. It’s the head nods, the references to other people as their friends, and group interactions that I’m falling in love with. I’m at the point where I feel a part of their camp. It’s almost as if I have experienced all of the crazy events with them. When I made this realization, LOST turned from a good television show to one of my all-time favorites.

What about these characters? Which ones are my favorites? Which ones would I not be sad to see leave for good? Let’s find out.

CHARACTERS (in no particular order)

1) Jack - The Doctor. The first scene of the first episode is on Jack when he wakes up in the jungle after the plane crashed. Jack goes on to assist just about everyone during the aftermath of Oceanic flight 815 crashing somewhere in the Pacific. Not soon thereafter, Jack takes over the leadership role for the entire group, something at first he is not sure if he is ready for. Everyone looks to Jack for answers. Sawyer calls Jack, among other things, “The Sheriff.” Jack was on the plane in order to get his dead dad (Christian) home from Australia in order for the burial.

My take - At first I was a huge Jack fan. It was hard not to be. He was the lead character, he helped out everyone, and the storyline seemed to progress whenever he was around. I’ve fallen off the Jack train just a bit after re-watching the episodes. He tends to scream a bunch (“RUN!! DAMN IT!!“) and sometimes his actions cause me to scratch my head. However, there is something about Jack that we have not yet found out. His tattoos on his arm say “He walks amongst us, but is not one of us.” I think there is more to this than the simple fact he got those tats while in Korea or Japan or someplace weird.

2) Kate - The Felon. Kate is the leading women who is always looking for an adventure. She killed her step-dad in order to help out her mother. Her step-dad was a drunk and an abuser and Kate had had enough. She set fire to his house while he was sleeping, and she has been on the run ever since. To make matters worse, her mother practically dis-owned her for those actions. Kate was on the plane because she was captured by a U.S. Marshall and was being taken back to L.A.

My take - She’s a nice piece of eye candy that’s for sure. The big storyline is the ongoing saga between her, Jack, and Sawyer. Who will she choose?? Who cares?? Not me. That’s not why I’m here. It’s the same reason that I really don’t care if Jim and Pam get/stay together on The Office. (My money is on Sawyer by the way.) Kate is a pretty simple character. She always seems to be on the run and has stayed pretty consistent throughout the first three seasons.

3) Hurley - The Fat Man Turned Rich. Hurley won the lottery back home, playing the very same numbers (4,8,15,16,23,42) that were entered into the hatch’s computers. Hurley got those numbers from his time in a mental institution. Hurley has been on a run of bad luck ever since he won the lottery. His grandfather passed away, his mothers new home burned down, and his new business got hit by a meteorite. Hurley was in Australia trying to put an end to his bad luck.

My take - Dude. How can you not love Hurley? He is the comical relief in LOST, but is so much more. Hurley has been battling weight issues while on the island, and has lost several close friends during his stay as well (see Libby and Charlie). We are still not sure exactly to what extent those numbers play into the whole scheme of the island, but I’m not too worried about it. Hurley is one of those “safe” characters, one you know is not going anywhere any time soon. He is one of my favorite characters.

4) Sayid - The Iraqi Torturer. Sayid was in the Republican Guard and became a torturer while serving for the Iraqi government. Sayid is deeply in love with Nadia, who he helps escapes prison. Sayid also falls for Shannon while on the island (she died however). Sayid does not have much of a back story, but what he lacks in flashbacks, he more than makes up for with his current actions on the island.

My take - It’s this simple: Sayid gets things done. He is the smartest, toughest, and the best suited to lead the Losties (term given to those on Oceanic Flight 815). I’m a huge fan of Sayid’s logic and how he approaches each complicated situation with the simplest solution. Everyone trusts Sayid (ex. The Naomi Case) and he seldom lets them down. He is my second favorite character on LOST. On a personal note, I would feel safe wherever I went if Sayid was there as well. This guy can do it all.

5) Charlie - The Rock Star. Charlie is a classic example of someone I was not very fond of the first time around, but then grew to love later on. Charlie is from England who was in the band “Drive Shaft.” They were a one-hit wonder with their single, “You Are Everybody.” He has battled a drug addiction while on the island and jealously issues with Claire. In the end, Charlie becomes a hero as he dies in the season three finale, but not before giving Desmond a message, “Not Penny’s Boat.”

My take - It was very sad to see Charlie pass away. He has been one of the main characters throughout the entire show and now is gone. Sure he might return in the occasional flash-back, but it just won’t be the same. Anyone who has ever battled an addiction before can relate to what Charlie was going through. Charlie was one of my favorite characters and he will be missed.

6) Desmond - The Visionary. Desmond crashed on the island way before Oceanic Flight 815 did. He was in a sail boat race when his ship found its way onto this mysterious island. Back home Desmond is deeply in love with Penny, but they had a fall out when Desmond thought that he was un-fit to marry her. Desmond ended up in the hatch "saving the world" for quite some time before the Losties came. Desmond implodes the hatch at the end of season two, thinking that he could die in order to save everyone. He did not die, but when he woke up he had no clothes on and started to see “flashes” of the future. Yes, this is LOST.

My take - This is my favorite character on LOST. “See you in another life brotha,” is a great line that Desmond has repeated several times. Kris seems to think that LOST might end up being a love story between Penny and Des. He may be right. They always play pivotal roles in the season finales. It’s going to be quite interesting to see where they take Desmond now that Charlie has passed. See, Desmond was having multiple flashes of Charlie’s death, now that it has happened, who knows what he will see now? Should be interesting (what am I saying, it WILL be interesting, it’s LOST!!).

7) Locke - The Handicap Turned In Tune With The Island. Locke might be the most important person on this whole show. He was in a wheel-chair before crashing, and immediately could walk when he touched down to the island. Locke is very much in “tune” with the island. He also has seen Jacob (who I will get to in my prediction section) and seems to be indestructible.

My take - Locke used to be my very favorite because the storyline seemed to progress and develop whenever he was involved. Locke has the coolest story as well. His dad, who conned him into giving up a kidney, mysteriously shows up on the island. The Others are very interested with Locke, and vice versa. Locke wants to know everything that makes this island special. He also has a habit of blowing things up. Locke has destroyed the hatch, the communications station, and the submarine (or did he?). It is almost as if Locke is trying to keep everyone on the island.

8) Sawyer - The Con Man. Sawyer has a very sly, witty, and strong personality. Back home (wherever that was), Sawyer was a con-man. He has succeeded in several cons while on the island. He is best known for his nicknames that he gives everyone. He has too many to name. Sawyer is right in the middle of the drama surrounding who Kate will pick. Like I said before, my money is on Sawyer. At heart he is a loyal friend who has shown he is willing to help out his fellow cast-mates.

My take - I absolutely despised Sawyer when I first started watching LOST. I thought he was mean, deceptive, and cruel. He very well could be all three of those things, but recently I have found to love Sawyer. I love his nicknames and I loved when he killed Tom (Mr. Friendly) at the end of season three. “Me and you ain’t done Zeke.” (Sawyer said this to Tom way back in Season Two). However, on this island, things have a way of coming back to hurt you. Sawyer might have a date with the smoke monster sometime soon.

9) Ben - The Leader Of The Others. We were introduced to Ben as Henry Gale in Season Two. Ben was trapped and found by Sayid. Ben was caught in his lie, but fortunately escaped due to some help from a Lostie. Ben is very tricky and you can never really believe anything he says. He is a master of mind games. He is also the leader of the Others and is the #2 it appears behind Jacob.

My take - Ben’s day on the island are numbered. Something tells me that he is not going to last very long as is on the island. That could mean he will just flat out be killed, or maybe the Losties will come to accept him once he starts explaining himself. Who knows. What I do know is that Michael Emerson is an outstanding actor and I can’t get enough of Ben. He holds the secrets of the island, but the power he holds over the Others might soon vanquish.

Well, there are many more characters I could discuss, but in all honesty, those are the most important ones. In my last segment I will tell you my theories and predictions. Do with this as you will.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

When you watch as much LOST as I have, theories tend to come and go. Some are disproved by the actual producers and writers of the show (purgatory theory) and others are just too ridiculous. It is a constant process, ever-changing. As we currently stand, I do have a theory on what exactly is going on in LOST. But first, I would like to share with you the basis of Kris’s theory.

Kris is under the impression that time plays a crucial role in LOST. He has explained me this theory multiple times, but I seem to get “lost” myself when he gets into the details. He believes (I think) that what is going on the island is not the present time. Or it could be that time moves slower on the island. He really gets into the “Back To The Future” stuff that just causes my brain to hurt. The next time I talk to him I will try and update you on his theory.

What about mine? Well, my basic theory is that the LOST island is actually a “pole.” Similar to the North or the South pole. We do know that magnetic properties surrounded the hatch, and things haven’t been the same on the island ever since it imploded. I also believe the only way to actually get on the island is to come from the air. It can not be reached by a ship or a boat. Almost like a glass ball with a tiny hole at the top.

I also believe that Oceanic Flight 815 was SUPPOSED to crash. Why else would the flight attendant mysteriously disappear and then reappear a sudden member of the Others? Also, does anyone who crashed have a good reason to go back? No. Their lives are all better now that they are on the island. It is the truth.

Here are some other things I currently believe:

- There is a big figurehead behind the crash, we just don’t know who yet.

- Jack is not who he appears to be. There is much more to Jack that we do not know yet. I do not believe he was a true member of Oceanic Flight 815.

- Jack’s dad, Christian (who is supposed to be dead), will end up being Jacob. I honestly believe this.

- Michael and Walt never left the island.

- Locke will become the new leader. There might even be two groups (Jack vs. Locke).

- Aaron (Claire’s baby) will never leave the island.

- Something is going on with secrets. Jack tells Kate that he is tired of lying. What could this be about? My theory is that when they get off the island they have to tell everyone else that the people left behind are dead.

- The submarine is NOT blown up.

I may be right on some and completely off on the rest, but I’m sticking behind all of those.

There ya go, my story of how I found LOST. I will be recapping every new episode from this point on for your enjoyment. I hope you all do not start having LOST dreams like I have had before, but if you do, I hope they are good ones.

Season Four starts tomorrow night. The Beginning of the End.

“See ya in another life brotha.”