When it comes to watching TV, if I find something good, I will typically be stuck binging that show for weeks on end. I’ll be glued to the couch, unable to move, enjoying the hell out of whatever I’m watching—while always thinking about all the important stuff I should be doing instead. Shows like The Big Bang Theory or Breaking Bad have had me in their grip for hours on end, pulling me back episode after episode. But Lost? It has me intrigued enough to want to finish it, but not captivated enough to demand my attention when I have other things to do.
The first two episodes of Lost do an excellent job as a pilot. They establish the world, the characters, and the main problem of the plot. Several dozen characters, played by brilliant actors, are stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. They’re left to fend for themselves against the backdrop of a lush, mysterious jungle—and a terrifying something with the size of a dinosaur and the soundtrack of a freight train.
A few prominent characters quickly take charge of the situation, such as Jack (Matthew Fox), who is immediately thrust into the reluctant hero role, and Kate (Evangeline Lilly), the mysterious wildcard who seems to be a natural second-in-command. Supporting characters like Charlie (Dominic Monaghan), the troubled rock star, and Sayid (Naveen Andrews), a calm and resourceful leader in his own right, bring depth and variety to the group dynamic.
The plot ramps up almost immediately. Jack, Kate, and Charlie go on a trek to find the planes cockpit, where they discover the injured pilot. He’s able to tell our characters that the plane had veered way off course before crashing—but immediately afterward he is snatched away by the unseen jungle predator. The pilot’s eviscerated body, later found dangling from a tree, drives home the fact that this is going to be NOTHING like Survivor.
And it only gets weirder. Kate leads a group up a mountain to try to get a signal from the transceiver salvaged from the cockpit. On the way, they encounter a polar bear in the middle of the jungle (yes you read that right). Once they reach the top, they discover a chilling 16-year-old SOS transmission, stuck in a loop and echoing endlessly from on the island. Between the message and the pilot’s earlier revelation, it becomes clear that the group’s chances of rescue are slim at best.
The suspense, mystery, and worldbuilding are impressive. And yet, Lost hasn’t managed to hook me. I’m curious about the mysteries, sure, but I’m not dying to find out the answers. Maybe it’s because the emotional connection isn’t there yet. The characters are interesting, but I don’t feel invested in their fates the way I have with other shows.
I’ll probably keep watching when I have more free time, but for now, Lost remains intriguing, not addicting. Maybe one or two more episodes will change that, or maybe it won’t. Either way, Lost hasn’t earned obsession status—yet.
