Why Lost is the Best TV Show Ever

Recently I have been re-watching Lost from the beginning. This is unusual for me. I see something once, I like it or I don’t and that’s it. It is extremely unusual for me to re-watch a movie or reread a book. For me, Lost is an exception to every rule, which is probably why I’m currently obsessed with re-watching it from the beginning and I must say: it’s even better the second time around. This has lead me to the conclusion: Lost is the BEST TV show EVER. I mean it. If you don’t believe me, keep reading for my top five reasons on why this is for sure true. Promise I’ll try to keep it spoiler free in case you haven’t seen it (poor you).

Reason #1: I have never and will never figure this show out.
Now, I know this might sound like a negative, but the reality is that this is the biggest compliment to a show/movie/book that I could ever give. I love things I can’t figure out and this show is the ultimate puzzle for my brain to work on. It has infinite twists and turns and things to ponder about. Throughout the show, the themes of faith vs. science and good vs. evil keep the show philosophical and keep my brain working. Then there are just mysteries inherent in the island – some that get explained, some that are left open to interpretation. I love that when this show ended, almost two years ago, fans were very split about the ending. To me, that is the mark of an amazing show: people were talking about it for weeks! I hate cookie cutter plot lines and characters and if you do too, this is definitely the show for you. Don’t expect everything to be explained but that is the beauty of this show; it is up to you and your imagination to fill in the blanks.

Reason #2: The characters – Oooooh the characters!
Lost has amazing casting and unbelievable (but not unrealistic) characters. The way the characters in Lost were created allowed for the show to be all types of TV shows in one: a medical drama, adventure, love story, mystery, police drama, revenge vendetta, coming-of-age story, addiction struggle, fight of the underdog, sci-fi, fountain of youth, science and discovery. The show’s characters are what make this show really deep and amazing. Their individual stories weave together to make intricate connections and subplots. The viewer knows that the information being shared about each character connects them to other characters and the overall plot of the show. They are all but pieces in a larger epic Lost puzzle. Beautiful.

Reason #3: Emphasis on patterns.
This is just a piece of the show that makes it intelligent and captivating. Patterns recur both openly and subliminally throughout the show. It keeps the viewer, or at least me, fixated on picking out patterns in the show. For example: the numbers. They recur intentionally over and over again and leave you screaming: What do they mean!?! I remember trying to add, subtract, divide, sequence them to find some secret meaning in the first couple seasons. I love having this type of investment in a show but it is rare and Lost does it well.  There are many patterns and themes that recur in the show and watching it a second time, from the start, has me gasping because I’m seeing more and more the second time around. Now that’s just cool.

Reason #4: The Island.
The Island is beautiful and mysterious. They really could not have chosen a more interesting place to film this show (Hawaii). There are episodes that make me want to go there and never come back and episodes that give me nightmares. I love that the Island is not just a place but it somehow has a personality and a presence. This is most frequently and deliberately emphasized by John Locke who refers to “The Island” as a person with wants and needs. This is definitely one piece I think is very open to interpretation: what the Island means or intends. Watching the show, the whys and hows of the Island is something I actively find myself thinking about. Weird, right? But it’s the nature of the show, and one of the big pieces that makes it great. It also conjures a sense of reverence and respect for the natural world that I find more tangible and interesting than this idea from say”¦ Avatar. What other show has an Island with a personality? None that I can think of.

Reason #5: The cast is attractive.
This does need to be separate from #2 because although it affects their characters, it’s not at the core of their characters. So many cast members are just delicious eye candy. Sawyer walking around shirtless. Kate’s rockin’ abs. Eko’s muscles. Fierce and fabulous Ana Lucia. Richard Alpert’s smouldering eyes. Sayid’s arms. Daniel Faraday’s scruffy beard. Claire’s eyes. Sun and Jin just being gorgeous together and apart. And who could forget the smoking hot Jack Shephard with his hot and intriguing tattoos. I’m definitely leaving people out – but that’s the thing”¦ there are too many hot cast members to name. It’s great to see both attractive men and women on a show. Way to appeal to everyone, Lost!

Amazing plot + Great characters + Stunning Scenery + Eye Candy for All = Lost = Best Show Ever

If you haven’t watched Lost, you need to. It truly has something for everyone. The perk is that now you don’t have to wait a week between episodes, you can watch it in all of its twisting, turning, shocking, mysterious glory one episode after the next. For now, I’ll just keep relishing in the re-watching and falling in love with this show all over again.