LOST – Season 1 Impressions
LOST EPISODE COUNT – (28/120)
If you’ve kept up with this blog, you probably know I’ve been put up to the challenge of catching up on the entire LOST series in time to watch the finale in May. Well I’m one disc into season 2, so I thought it would be a good time to share some of my thoughts on season 1 and my hopes for what I’ll see in season 2.
- If I found myself stranded on an island in the middle of nowhere, I would definitely want Jack with me. Whatever the situation, he always has some sort of solution. After all, everyone knows that doctors are magic. I really like the casting of Matthew Fox. He is well-built, but does not look like an unrealistic underwear model. I could actually imagine a man like that being on a plane next to me.
- As a character, Locke fascinates me. However, I feel like I would be very frightened by him if I were on that island. His talks of destiny and feeling like he is part of the island make me uncomfortable. I don’t feel like I can trust him.
- I want Kate’s body. End of story. Well, maybe not exactly (make her a man, and then it’s a done deal). I love a woman who can look gorgeous while holding her own against a strong cast of male characters, never once seeming weak or timid. Her not-so-pristine past also creates some interesting tension between her and good boy Jack.
- Charlie and Claire have such a sweet relationship. He, with the heroin withdrawals, needs something to put his excess energy into, and she needs someone to help her with the baby. It’s a beautiful friendship that I really hope is hinting at something more.
- Sun hooked me in her first appearance, and her flashback episode reeled me in further. One of the most exciting and heartbreaking scenes of the season for me was the abrupt, public revelation of her english skills to the entire camp. Watching her fall back in love with Jin through the rest of the season warmed my heart to tears.
- Sawyer is a very cool character. He started off as the token jerk of the island, but as the writers revealed more of his past with flashbacks I developed a compassion for the man. I feel sorry for him and I understand what made him the way he is. He’s bruised and burned – a soul of leather.
- I’ve already shared my thoughts on Boone, but I haven’t touched on Shannon. I couldn’t stand Shannon until Boone died. She existed not as a character, but as an example of what NOT to do when stranded on a seemingly deserted island. The tragedy of her brother’s death slapped her out of her sunbathing fantasy and she finally found her spirit, offering to take care of Vincent, Walt’s dog, when Walt leaves on the raft. I look forward to where the writers are taking her.
- Sayid is another character, like Jack, who seems capable of nearly anything. I admire the writers of LOST for making one of the most capable characters on the show a man of middle-eastern descent. I’m not sure if I understand or like the relationship developing between Sayid and Shannon. I understood her initial attraction. She wanted a man to take care of her and she also wanted to irritate Boone. I don’t understand, however, why Sayid was so easily wooed by her. She’s certainly attractive, but I feel that Sayid’s relationship baggage outweighs Shannon’s charms.
- Hurley keeps getting more interesting, and slightly more obnoxious. I think his whole “number curse” theory could be really exciting in the next season. I’m looking forward to finding out more about that. I wish Hurley would have more interaction with the other cast members. They’re using him as the comic foil, which is necessary, but I wish he had more of an arc this season.
- I almost don’t want to talk about Michael. He annoys me more than anyone else on the island, including Shannon. I kept hoping he would be the first one to die. Alas, no. Wait – that makes me sound like such a jerk – oh well! Maybe it’ll happen in season 2.
Season 2, here I come! I hope all you LOST friends that are completely caught up enjoy reading my clueless ramblings as I discover this series and share insights on things that you have already figured out completely. I promise, I will be there soon enough!
Thanks for reading! Please share YOUR insights in the comments.
Something Kinda Wonderful 
Hey, I enjoyed reading this! I felt the same way about the characters when I decided to buy the 1st season a couple of years ago… And I can’t believe you’re going to watch every episode of every season…That is a MAJOR challenge, esp as the later seasons have a lot of “filler” episodes that ask more questions than they answer… Seasons 1 & 2 so far, are the best (to me, at least), and the season finales (esp Season 3’s!) are always awesome. Happy viewings & I look forward to reading your thoughts on how the series progresses 🙂
I think your thoughts on the characters are VERY accurate.
-I think EVERYONE had the same initial reaction to the Sayid/Shannon romance. Why would someone as intelligent as Sayid fall in love with a bimbo like Shannon?! But I think this also shows a different side of depth to both characters.
-The numbers are very intriguing and fun. After Hurley’s episode in season 1, if you go back and re-watch from the pilot, you’ll see 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, & 42 EVERYWHERE.
-And Michael…ugh. I feel your pain; I think we all do. You can’t help but feel sorry for the guy because his backstory is horribly tragic. But he is just so damn accusatory and tactless that he almost deserves what’s happening to him.
Let me know your thoughts after you watch the 8th episode of season 2. 🙂
OMG!! Your comments are HILARIOUS!!! …This is Zack T. by the way… Your descriptions of the characters are RIGHT ON!! I disliked Shannon the most out of all of them, but I totally understand why Sayid got with her, cause when she stops talking, she’s actually REALLY HOT!!
Michael is alright in season one, cause I know he’s only look out for Walt, who seemingly is attracted by something in Locke, who starts out looking like a pedophile!! CREEPY!! Still, Locke is my all time favorite character in the show, and his first episode where he stands from the wreckage makes me cry EVERY TIME!! (I think it’s because of the music)
Sun and Jin are AMAZING!!!!!! Enough said! You’ll grow to love their characters more I PROMISE!!
…and Charlie…you gotta love the drug addicts!!
Hurley’s awesome…
Jack’s won’t stop being the daddy of the group, which is ironic seeing as how e had so many daddy issues…
I would do Sawyer in a heartbeat…I don’t care if that makes me gay…he has all the goods…and you got to look out for number one!! ^_^
To be fair though, I would do Kate also, cause there’s just something about a woman in handcuffs mmmhm!!
I’m so glad you like the show!!! Treat my DVD’s like they were your own children, and definitely keep me posted on all the big twists you come across in the series!!
LOVE YOU LOTS!!! ^-^
-Zack
ahhhhh we are sooooo diffferent on our opinions of John Locke… I love him to death, I love his story, and totalllly relate to his struggles of finding a purpose that is greater than himself. Ever since the beginning, I’ve always felt that he’s had the “right idea.” He is 71.2% of the reason I’ve watched this show. I identify so much with him.
regardless, I see eye-to-eye with you on many of your observations, partcularly the mismatch between Shannon and Sayid (I couldn’t agree more). The writers do cliche things like that from time to time. It’s also really interesting to read this because a few days ago, I got a very similar note from a friend of mine who is also rushing through the seasons, detailing his beliefs on the characters (and he is exactly where you are in the show). You guys couldn’t be more different. He is one of the most stoic persons I’ve ever met, doesn’t place value emotional intimacy, and places value on ethics of hard-work and industrialism (liking characters like Sayid and Jin, and strongly disliking characters like Hurley and Charlie). You, on the complete other end of the spectrum, have a good eye for appreciating the true heart of people and their potential for intimacy. I think your view of Charlie and Claire speaks the most about who you are. You have a good heart, man. I think the only thing you guys agree on is your opinion of Michael–he hates Michael cause all he thinks he does is whine. Just wait until you see what they do with his character. fun stuff….
anyhoo, you’re coming up on one of my “favorite” episodes of LOST (if you haven’t seen it already), “Everybody Hates Hugo.” Now when I say “favorite”, I don’t mean i think it’s the best (because they all have their own unique colors and energy fields)…. I just mean its one of the ones I cry hardest in. Dude I cry like a bitch. There is a really good montage at the end, and I just lose it. The music is so perfect, and the joy is so pure and meaningful. When the show is over, that’ll be the first episode I watch again. I’ll probably crawl up in a ball and cry till I fall asleep, and not want to leave my room for like, 2 days. Ha… you probably think I’m kidding….
check it out: http://www.freewebs.com/lostseason-1/freedownloadsoundtrack.htm
you can download the entire soundtrack from Season 1 from there for free. I would give you the Lostpedia article about each of the themes (helps you navigate the songs and understand their context) but that’s loaded with spoilers. So I’ll just let you know some of them (no spoilers):
The “Main Theme” of Lost is all over the album: introduced in “Credit where Credit is Due” (scene is opening title sequence in Pilot Part 1, as everyone begins to settle in the aftermath of the wreck)… this theme also in “Departing Sun” (scene where Sun is about to leave Jin at the airport but can’t bring herself to do it), and “Booneral” (Boone’s funeral obviously). “Life and Death” shows the leitmotif they use in any event involving themes of, well, life and death (scene where Shannon learns about Boone’s death, and Aaron’s birth), also used in “Win One for the Reaper.” Locke has two leitmotifs for his character that are on this soundtrack, one in “Crocodile Locke” to show his mysterious (or as you might say, creepy) side, and “Locke’d Out Again” to show his soft, passionate side (from the scene where he’s banging on the hatch door, despairing about his life). The leitmotifs they use are usually about 4-bar refrains, and they have ones for every character, certain relationships, and repeated literary elements. It’s fun to explore the music and find out how they use it. A lot of the other character’s themes are on other seasons soundtracks, but these are the big ones from season 1 that come to my mind. The last one, “Parting Words” is good too (scene where the raft sets sail).
and I think you’re calling Jin by the name of “Kim”…..yeah
sorry I have a big habit of writing extremely long letters. Actually I’m not really sorry…
anyhoo, hope you enjoy Season 2… solid solid season
You’re so right, Jon.
The season one soundtrack is unbelievable. “Locke’d Out Again” is like my anthem. If anything uber-tragic ever happened to me, I would find the closest stereo and play this song, as I dramatically weep through my struggles. “Parting Words” makes me cry because it first starts when Sun & Jin get back together before the raft launches. And “Oceanic 815” gives me chills when they show that montage of everyone boarding the plane, in the last minute of season one.
“Everybody Hates Hugo” makes me sad (in a good way) too. But not as much as “Collision”, the eighth episode of season 2. Ughhh. Tears, man.
I’m so glad you’ve climbed aboard the LOST train. It is a ridiculously smart, well-written show and a true cultural phenomenon. The fact you’re sticking with it and enjoying it so much and allowing yourself curiosity toward characters warms my heart, truly.
Sawyer is one of my absolute favorite characters. I’ll just put it this way: he is not always what he appears to be. I think you will be truly surprised by the amount of growth the character goes through over the next few seasons.
Some people dismiss Sun and Jin’s story as being too soap opera-ish. I, on the other hand, have always been fascinated by their marital discord and secretive pasts. Sun is amazing. Just wait til later seasons.
There are some great Hurley episodes coming up in season two and three. I think you’ll find him less obnoxious and understand him more once you see what he’s been through.
Locke is VERY important. That’s all I’m saying about that.
The more you find out about Jack, the more you’ll see WHY he has a need to be the hero.
Keep watching! And if you have any questions, let me know. I can give you answers without giving you spoilers. I promise! 🙂 LOVE YOU!
not gonna lie, “Collision” didn’t really have an impression on me… but there was that one really cool line that Sayid delivers… (won’t say it, won’t spoil it!)
One of my favorite things about this show is the the dialogue. It always packs a punch. One of my favorites is from “Orientation”, ep 3 of Season 2 :
JACK: No. It’s not real. Look, you want to push the button, you do it yourself.
LOCKE: If it’s not real, then what are you doing here, Jack? Why did you come back? Why do you find it so hard to believe?
JACK: Why do you find it so easy?
LOCKE: It’s never been easy!
epic!
My other two biggies from this season are “The 23rd Psalm” and the Finale…… “23rd Psalm” was the one that got a Emmy nomination for best writing.
It’s interesting to note, I feel there is a direct correlation between the quality of the episode and the person who wrote it. The strongest episodes, in my opinion, are the ones written by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. They are the genius behind the show (they’re the head writers). They wrote the 23 Psalm and the Finale, among others. Pay attention to who is writing it, they’ll show the writers’ name at the beginning credits of each episode… you get a feel for the kind of episode you’re about to watch.
And in regards to Season 2 as a whole, I feel like it has an awesome pace and tempo, which is something I feel the later seasons lack. So you can never really go wrong with any episode in season 2.
anyhoo, this perfectly describes us Losties in the LOST community (or “cult”):
http://www.redandblack.com/2010/02/02/editorial-cartoon-1218/
Thanks for all the comments! It’s really cool to come back to the hotel and find a full discussion on one of my entries.
Jon Michael – that editorial cartoon is hilarious. With every comment you guys give me, I realize even more what a crazy society I’m joining.
You’re joining a phenomenon, Dylan. The series finale is going to be HUGE!
@Jon- Locke is my favorite character too. “Orientation” and well…all of his episodes are just outstanding. But I think I have to partially disagree with your comment about pacing. I LOVED season two so much, but I thought this is where pacing was a tad monotonous. (Same for some of season 3.) All of the seasons are great in their own way, and to each, his own; that’s what’s so awesome about LOST, you can have your own opinion/theory and probably STILL be right. 🙂
It wasn’t until the producers & writers were able to lock an end date that I really began to see the pace start to pick up. And Neisha’s comment about “filler” episodes is true too. After the end date was announced, this also meant shorter seasons. Less filler and more to the point. (Seasons 1-3 are 24 episodes-ish. Seasons 4-6 are 18 episodes or less.)
Season 6 is kicking ass, by the way. Can’t wait for you to catch up, Dylan! =D
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