Category: Lost

An open letter to Damon Lindeloff and Carleton Cuse (and possibly JJ Abrams, if he still has anything to do with the show):

Guys. Hey. I know you're all very very busy with the show. I also know that you're still a bit upset with the whole 'spoiler' thingy and the big flash-forward being revealed. I'm cool with that. I know that creative types are sensitive.

I want to say that I'm on your side. I'm a fan. I have been since day one. I watched the pilot, thought "this is enjoyable", and have come back every week. I've enjoyed it. I didn't feel animosity to Nikki and Paolo. I enjoy the "Hurley teaches everyone to laugh again" episodes. I was happy at the 6/16 split last year (and even watched a couple episodes of Daybreak, for which I think I deserve a medal). I even do panels on the show at the local Star Trek convention.

Okay, that last one may have been a bit TMI. In any case, I am a fan, in both breadth and depth. So I hope you take it to heart when I say this:

Don't fuck this up. You've now got three years to produce two years worth of good TV. Think about that. You have to produce 48 episodes in three years.

Now, from a viewer's POV, this is frustrating. Seriously, we like having our TV from September to May. We're used to it. Sure, there are issues with that format, particularly in the fact that there's this portion of the audience that just sloughs off every time there's a rerun or a change in schedule. But to jump right to "Two thirds of a season, straight through!" is kind of harsh.

But now, we'll sit and watch the three seasons of 16 episodes each. Each and every one of those episodes had better be awesome. It better be "take the awesome that's in a normal episode, and increase it by a third". That means the lows will be less low, and the highs had better damn well be huge.

You can skip pointless episodes (remember "Hurley teaches everyone to laugh again"? He's taught, move on!) and weave together a tapestry that makes sense.

Here's a list of plot elements. I want at least three of them answered by the time that final "thunk/whoosh/hum" sounds after episode S4E16:

What the hell is that thing in the jungle?
Who's on the boat?
What the hell is up with Desmond?
Who the hell are the Others, since they're not actually Dharma?
Why is there a slave ship stuck in the middle of the island? Is it related to the previous question?
How deep did the experiments go?
Why did the Others continue the experiments?
How the hell did CIA Clancy Brown end up in the hatch?
Who is airdropping food and upgrading electronics in the hatch (or was)?
Giant statue, four toes. WTF?
What is up with the huge corporate conspiracy between Pak Heavy Industry and Hanso and Widmore group and apparently every group larger than a partnership in the world?
Why didn't you fight harder to keep Nestor Carbonell (seriously, he was awesome)?
Can we not have anymore Sawyer episodes (more a request than a question that needs answering)?

Thank you, and good day.

This post was Authored by Justin Mohareb, Our Resident Authority on all things Lost

As much as I love LOST, Justin has hit the nail on the head with this post. So many shows start out dripping with greatness only to slowly peter out until they no longer resemble what they once were. LOST is very much in danger of becoming just that. We have a rich and complicated storyline going here that needs every episode left to be on it's game. I fully expect the series to end with as many questions unanswered as have been answered.

The filler episodes didn't used to bother me because I used to love the characters. I liked seeing what was going on with the Lostees we hardly get to see anymore. But since TPTB decided to kill off Charlie, in order for me to stay invested in this show, the storytelling has to be excellant now. I'm not making anymore excuses for bad storytelling and filler episodes.

Good story telling can be told with shorter seasons. Look at the British television programs. This new format fits it perfectly. But again, no more slacking on the storytelling. If Lost is to remain good, they need to focus less on the triangle and more on the island. Each episode should be about the mystery of the island, not who Kate is going to choose to be with.

P.S. Return Lost to what it was advertised as. An ensemble show, like it was in season one. The Jack/Kate/Sawyer show has gotten boring.

I agree with most of what's listed here, but I have another request:

PLEASE tell us why Libby was in a mental hospital. You've already revealed in interviews that there is a definite reason you've decided on, and I know a number of people besides myself would still really like to know why. Don't leave us hanging just because a bad situation resulted in the character being cut.

I also second the return to the ensemble show. Many of us could really care less who Kate will end up being with. Jack, Kate and Sawyer aren't the ONLY characters you guys have to work with.

I cannot stand the whining in this post. Comeon, people were complaining with 6/16 split. People were complaining with reruns. They totally ruined the momentum of the show. What do you expect them to do? The only alternative is to run it straight through like 24. And are you guys watching the same show as me? The second half of S3 used the ensemble very well, infact I think Sayid and Desmond got more screen time than Jack and Sawyer during the final 16 episodes. Plus half the questions on your list have been at least partially answered.

mild spoiler:

Libby is confirmed to come back this season.

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