OK, my wife and I have been with this program from the first airing. I really think that while I will watch because I am still curious, I think the creators have no idea where they are going with this show, and the fact that there are so many holes in the shows little "things" makes me certain of this. Saddly, we will still watch.

They jump from one thing to the other every other week. Actors say their lines, but real people are at the heart a curious people, and in most baffeling situAtions people ask questions. Jack acts as if all is well and his conversation with Tom is my proof. He talks to Tom as if everything on the island is like real life.

Maybe I am speaking from frustration, but really.... this is like the twilight zone. In that show they had new actors each week that went through bizzare things, here we have the opposite where bizzare things routinely change for the same people week after week. It is really stupid.

Take the raft for example. The Others wanted Walt, and I think that is why they did not get off the island. Obviously, it was blown up. Now, why are not the other losties trying to get off the island rather than mix it up with the Others. Build another boat.

Those who want to leave, can try, those who do not, stay.... it's that simple. But I really think that the writers are changing things at will because they know there is a hugh draw for the show including the schlep. :undecide:

This is already being discussed in several hundred other threads. ;) I agree with everything you say, but man, this board is getting to be as dull as the show - we bring up the same points over and over, and nothing ever happens, it's like throwing sand into the wind. I used to lurk in Lost General Theories a lot, until I realized there was no point trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle composed of pieces from several different boxes. Then I started spending more time in the Didn't Love It threads, where I read every objection I ever had, often expressed better than I could do it myself, but now I've read them all a dozen times and there are no new ones. What's next, discuss the characters? The ones who display no curiousity or initiative and change their personalities from week to week, more or less at random? Dude, unless you know any good jokes, I'm outta here. :)

I think the creators have no idea where they are going with this show,
I think they do.

I think they do.


I second that...

I'm not sure what you guys are wanting in the story..., or where you think they went wrong telling the story. but I'm pumped up for Lost every Wednesday night. I'm excited from the time I get home from work, until I turn off the TV at 11. This show is great, and the writers have done a excellent job with the mystery. The mystery is why I turn in every week.

I agree partially.
Realistically we should have seen a lot more 'OMG GUESS WHAT JUST HAPPENED" scenes.

If you watched the season 2 finale you would know why "building another boat" would not work.

I think why this episode is frustrating is because it's a Hurley one, his flashback-centric episodes are always light hearted and sentimental which is fine but there will never be huge pieces of Lost mythology revealed in a Hurley episode (aside from the 'Numbers' episode which is the core of all his flashbacks). Hurley is the lovable, funny relief from the heavy stuff.

That's why the huge ensemble cast is great, every week there is a different feel to the episode because every character brings something different to the show.

I second that...

I'm not sure what you guys are wanting in the story..., or where you think they went wrong telling the story. but I'm pumped up for Lost every Wednesday night. I'm excited from the time I get home from work, until I turn off the TV at 11. This show is great, and the writers have done a excellent job with the mystery. The mystery is why I turn in every week.

Completely co-sign the both of you.

This little show is now in its third season, and it still hasn't learned any lessons from its past or its legion of loyal, intelligent, fans. Since its inception I've been coming to this website for insight, conversation, or just plain silliness, and found all of it. But there's one thing that bothers me, and I must now count myself as one of the former-fans of the show. There were problems with the pacing and direction of the show from about 3/4 the way through the first season. Many fans and critics picked up on it. But at this point the show has simply dissolved into a shoddy soap opera. Be honest folks, the plot goes nowhere, except in circles, just to get you to come back, hoping for "answers." So you religiously watch a RECAP episode, which wouldn't be pointless if they actually provided "answers to every question you have" about LOST, but there is nothing new.

This tiring pattern should learn a lesson from Haunted Houses. Sure, they're silly, fictitious, and well, creepy, but here's why they work. You go through this awful, noisy, mysterious, disorienting experience to get to the other side. To go out the exit and look back at the shoddy exit door and the cigarette butts scattered about. To say to your friends "wow, that WAS fun." The payoff. If the haunted house didn't have the payoff and just kept leading you on a seemingly endless array of new crappy mysteries, well, it would just get boring. Which is all I have to say about Lost at this point. It's gotten boring. A 4th-grader could write a 2 page story with no end, and be told to write another two pages, building on the themes already established. No need for explanations about what the hell happened on page 2, no, nevermind that. Here's a new shocking moment to ponder. To hell with it.

This is all we have to look forward to for the rest of the run of this series. New mysteries that have no relevance, no substance. A rabbit hole, nothing more. No bottom, just a pointless freefall.

A criticism of this point of view would be to say that I simply have a very short attention span. That is not the point. The point is that regardless of attention span, or viewer interest, or discipline, there comes a point that you realize that you're being led by the reigns to absolutely nowhere. If YOU enjoy the walk, that's fine. The scenery might be beautiful, and the people you meet along the way might interest you, but if you're not chomping at the bit at this point, then you obviously have the memory of a goldfish. Do you remember the beginning? Or are you distracted by every little shiny object along the way? Long story short, this mess of a TV show comes down to FOCUS, or its lack thereof.

I'm not impatient, but I'm also not a fool. I refuse to accept pointless plot stretch to sell 5 more seasons' worth of Coke and toothpaste. Love the show, the idea, the concept, the first season, but it's LOST its way. I get the feeling at this point that whomever enjoyed the show in the beginning no longer watches, and the only ones left are the ones that scoffed at the show while their friends were watching season 1. Am I wrong? Or maybe I just like my entertainment to "f" with my head, not my heart. If campy soap sexual tension floats your boat, then keep watching. But please, recognize the product for what it is, and DO NOT accuse those who are leaving of turning their backs on a damn thing. The show turned its back on itself.

I'm done with this show. I'm sick of toting the line so to speak. It's turned into a parlor trick. If you stay to long, the tricks lose their charm. You've LOST your charm Lost.

The problem with you saying that the show is going no where is that you don't know that for sure. We don't know if its going no where, we also don't know if it's going somewhere. The only way we'll see is at the end. I personally have a lot of faith in the writers. They say they know the end, they have it planned out for 4-5 seasons, nothing really suggests they are making stuff up as they go along. You could argue either way but its kind of pointless until the show is actually over.

But at this point the show has simply dissolved into a shoddy soap opera. Be honest folks, the plot goes nowhere, except in circles, just to get you to come back, hoping for "answers."

I'm sorry, but no one can say with a straight face that Lost "goes nowhere." If anything, the exact opposite is true. Most TV shows reset at the end of every episode. Shows like ER have been on the air for years, and they are soap operas mixed with the same dramatized doctor show garbage that exists in show after show after show, just like all the cop and lawyer shows. Talk about going nowhere.

Lost, on the other hand, moves in leaps and bounds. Another way to put it is this: If someone can sit down and watch episode 1 of a show, then watch that season's finale, and not be confused, then you have a show that "goes nowhere." Do you really think that is possible with Lost?

The problem so many viewers have is that they are not being provided with those all-important, precious "answers." What they fail to realize is that without ongoing mysteries, the appeal of the show would be GONE. If you're just now realizing that Lost is not your type of show because you can't wait for literally years for answers to your questions, fair enough. But that is the show that Lost has always been. You may have mistaken it for something else, but it is what is.

It's quite simple, guys:
If you like it, watch it. If you don't like it, don't watch it.

There seem to be so many threads like this recently ... if people are so turned off by the show why do they even care enough to post? Beats me :shrug:

Unfortunately, Leyosaura, it's human nature to do it. Particularly for people who used to love Lost and has seen it evolve into something they don't like, there will be a contingency of people who want to ruin everyone else's fun too. Part of it probably comes from bitterness that the show didn't turn out to be what THEY thought it would be; Others may be so sure they're right that they can't stop trying to convince others who still love the show.

I think this is going to happen more and more as the show nears its conclusion. What's happened is, every time the show reveals some new information that contradicts someone's personal theory, it has a tendency to make people angry. When the end of the second season firmly established that they were in the real world, a lot of the "purgatory" people probably got mad. The more stuff is shown about Dharma and the rational explanations for some of the island happenings, the more the people who are convinced of supernatural explanations will find themselves alienated.

This is why it's probably really SMART that TPTB have left so many things untold. The ending of this series is going to really please about 15 percent of the viewing audience and completely infuriate the rest of them.

I anticipate fan fallout like you wouldn't believe after the finale, first of all because I think many fans have irrational expectations for every single little bit of unexplained content to be neatly spelled out for them (what was the stuff on the tray in the Pearl station and whatnot). To me, I feel that many questions have been satisfactorily "answered" that other people are still unhappy with. The polar bears have been explained in my opinion. So has the vaccine/illness. That other people are not satisfied with the explanations or cannot connect dot A to dot B is going to make some of them livid at the end of the series.

Another thing that will do it is the sheer number of people who simply will not accept the ultimate explanation. You have clear camps now, divided among those who want a perfectly rational, scientific explanation for everything, and those who want a spiritual, supernatural element and say that the introduction of sci-fi elements to the show has hurt it. Well, you can't make both camps happy, so at the end of the series you're going to have a large group of upset people.

Unfortunately, this is the corner TPTB have painted themselves into, but it's not because they're not creative, or not good writers, or that they're not telling a worthwhile story. It's because of the basic nature of people who have very conventional expectations of their entertainment and will ultimately react negatively if someone tries to mess with that.

It's quite simple, guys:
If you like it, watch it. If you don't like it, don't watch it.

There seem to be so many threads like this recently ... if people are so turned off by the show why do they even care enough to post? Beats me :shrug:


Maybe they want to voice their frustration in hopes that someone can point them in the direction of loving the show again.

I have been a frustrated fan since episode 1 of season 3.

Personally, I think the first 6 episodes' non flashback stories could have been told in 3 episodes. The death of one of the best characters on the show (Eko) could have been handled better (despite whatever on-set problems there were) and I could have used less butt kicking of Sawyer, we get it, Pickett hates Sawyer and take his frustrations out on the guy (I think they should name the first 6 eps, The Passion of The Sawyer cos that's what it reminded me of)

Also, things that seem to be lingering, that seem to be in the forefront of the show's importance, are really trivial to me. I don't care anymore who Kate ends up with. Are there really people out there who watch the show and say, 'Forget about The Others and the mystery of the island the polar bears and all of that mysterious stuff, all I wants is some Kate/Jack/Sawyer love triangle action!!' If those people are fueling the show's drive...they need to go watch something like Grey's Anatomy or something...

Now, I went and taped the last four episodes and haven't watched them until this weekend.
I can see the wheels turning a little more, but I'm not sure if we have the right map (world's worst analogy, I accept that) I've yet to finish the Hurley episode...that's on tonight's agenda...but I will say, watching episodes back to back has made this seasons frustrations go away slightly...

I WANT to love this show again.
I WANT to be excited for Wednesday nights.
Believe me, I really do.
And I'm probably going to keep watching for awhile in hopes of that spark to be lit again.

But if people want to voice their concerns or frustrations with the show, by all means, let them do it. Sometimes it's hard to just walk away from something you love just like that.

Don't know if this made any sense and I'm sure I'll get some heat from someone about something I said, but...whatever

I'm not sure what you guys are wanting in the story..., or where you think they went wrong telling the story.

The problem is that they are no longer telling "THE" story but "A" story.

What have we learn so far this year?

The Others live on a second island....that's it that's all!

Ok, maybe we can throw in that Desmond may or may not be able to see the future.

things that were revealed but were not important or essential to the story:

Jin had her maid fired(it did develop her carcter a bit, but storywise?????)
Locke worked in a pot farm(it did develop her carcter a bit, but storywise?????)
Jack's tattoo(it did develop her carcter a bit, but storywise?????)
Hurley's dad left him at a young age(it did develop her carcter a bit, but storywise?????)
Jack's got a thing for trashy Thai women(who doesnt? :redface: )
Juliet was recruited by Ethan(I guess someone had to recruit her sooner or later so woopteedoo!)
Cindy and the children are alive(oh wow we never saw that one coming)
The Others say that they can get off the island(geez, ya think????)
Sayid walking around Others camp. Guess it was unimportant as it hasnt been mentionned since.
etc etc etc

Desmond's episode, even though was a cool epi, created more confusion than anything.

Lost is one long story; and in this respect, different than almost all other TV series.

The beginning of a story has a special energy (we get to know new characters and new situations; possibilities seem endless); the end of a story has its own energy (wrapping up the characters' individual arcs, answering open questions; hopefully offering insight for our own lives).

The middle of a story has a notorious reputation (Google "middle volume syndrome"). The story must unfold, but cannot come to resolution too early. It is often about getting to know the characters better and laying the groundwork for the climax to come.

That's where we are. There are huge issues to be dealt with before everything can be tied up nicely (and given the pace of exposition to date, it didn't even occur to me that they would be complete this season).

Like many, I'm curious whether "tied up nicely" is even possible; but if it is, I want the writers to have the time and space they feel they need to get us there.

Tell you what. If we get to the 108th episode and things are still unfocused, I will join the clamor.

--Väi

The middle of a story has a notorious reputation (Google "middle volume syndrome"). The story must unfold, but cannot come to resolution too early. It is often about getting to know the characters better and laying the groundwork for the climax to come.

That's where we are. There are huge issues to be dealt with before everything can be tied up nicely (and given the pace of exposition to date, it didn't even occur to me that they would be complete this season).



Excellent point.

***Mod edited***

The way the episode was dragging last week, I looked at my wife and said I bet you they get the van going somehow and end up crashing into another hatch or discover some other cool other thing....anything will do! Would that be considered as wanting answers to everything?????

BTW I didnt get a response, she had dozed off because of all the excitement.

You can believe all you want that the writers know how it ends. But I wont buy a for a second that they know how to get there. There's another thing that the writers said that I dont believe: "we have enough material for 4-5 years". Watching the last few episodes I would believe that they have material for a good 10 year run at least.

I am also one that believes the writers have it all figured out. They've said when they met for the filming of the pilot that they talked about the entire show and where it would go and how it would end. Now I'm not saying they had it ALL figured it, but the big secrets that we are all waiting for like 1 who the others really are 2 what they do 3 what the island is. You bet I think they have had those answers for a long time. They just have to write in the gaps.

Maybe they want to voice their frustration in hopes that someone can point them in the direction of loving the show again.

I have been a frustrated fan since episode 1 of season 3.

Personally, I think the first 6 episodes' non flashback stories could have been told in 3 episodes. The death of one of the best characters on the show (Eko) could have been handled better (despite whatever on-set problems there were) and I could have used less butt kicking of Sawyer, we get it, Pickett hates Sawyer and take his frustrations out on the guy (I think they should name the first 6 eps, The Passion of The Sawyer cos that's what it reminded me of)

Also, things that seem to be lingering, that seem to be in the forefront of the show's importance, are really trivial to me. I don't care anymore who Kate ends up with. Are there really people out there who watch the show and say, 'Forget about The Others and the mystery of the island the polar bears and all of that mysterious stuff, all I wants is some Kate/Jack/Sawyer love triangle action!!' If those people are fueling the show's drive...they need to go watch something like Grey's Anatomy or something...

Now, I went and taped the last four episodes and haven't watched them until this weekend.
I can see the wheels turning a little more, but I'm not sure if we have the right map (world's worst analogy, I accept that) I've yet to finish the Hurley episode...that's on tonight's agenda...but I will say, watching episodes back to back has made this seasons frustrations go away slightly...

I WANT to love this show again.
I WANT to be excited for Wednesday nights.
Believe me, I really do.
And I'm probably going to keep watching for awhile in hopes of that spark to be lit again.

But if people want to voice their concerns or frustrations with the show, by all means, let them do it. Sometimes it's hard to just walk away from something you love just like that.

Don't know if this made any sense and I'm sure I'll get some heat from someone about something I said, but...whatever

QFT (quoted for truth!) and it makes perfect sense to me.

I want to love Lost again. I'm actually desperate to, which is sad because on one hand it's just a TV show, but on the other it has such wonderful potential. But there hasn't been much to love recently. There are authors like King and even Rowling who can make those middle chapters of a story interesting. But the problem is that we've spent most of 11 episodes dealing with 1-2 chapters worth of content when you take away flashbacks.