We've now been through two and a half years of LOST. Tell everyone what you think of the flashbacks (you can vote for more than one!).

By the way, I had to shorten the answers to comply with the site requirements.... So I pasted the answers here:

1) I LOVE all flashbacks, even if they are redundant! Dedicate 99% of each episode to flashbacks because I love the characters (i.e., Jack, Charlie, Jin/Sun, etc.)

2) The flashbacks were ok in the beginning, but I'm starting to feel that they've become filler material for the network to 'pad' the series for additional seasons -- but I still sorta like them.

3) Only show flashbacks that cover NEW material, and/or apply to characters who haven't had flashbacks (i.e., Danielle, Ben)

4) Minimize the flashbacks to just a few minutes each episode, so more time can be devoted to advancing the island storyline.

5) Finally show the Locke flashback, explaining belatedly why he was in the wheelchair (and in doing so, explain why he magically walked once on the island).

6) Show flashbacks of Charlie's band on drugs (again), Jack having daddy issues (again), Locke doing bizarre things which contradict his character as portrayed on the island (again), how Sun/Jin have problems with her father (again), simply because we LOVE these characters, and oh by the way, these would make great filler episodes so ABC can milk more money out of this cow!!

Love the flashbacks, It's the only way to really learn about the characters. I think the way they are handling it and have always handled it is very good.

I thought the season 1 flashbacks were all great because we didn't know anything about the characters. In season 2 I thought some of the flash backs were good, but others not very good because they didn't seem very thought out or important. Same goes for season 3 although I have enjoyed most of them. It just annoys me a little bit when the flash back isn't really connected to the rest of that characters story and is just made up to parallel or emphasize the story going on on the island.

The flashbacks have got to go. They are a waste of time and add little, if nothing, to the story.

enough already move the damn storyline who gives a crap bout their pasts

I like the way that flashbacks are handled at the moment, of course there are going to be dud flashbacks (Case in point: 'Stranger In A Strange Land'), but that doesn't mean that flashbacks aren't good. Its the same with the island mystery scenes, there have been numerous duds in those too (Case in point: 'The Hunting Party'). Flashbacks are integral to the show and the characters that are integral to it.

The flashbacks are as much part of the show as the others, the plane crash or the characters themselves.

Sure we have bad and good flashbacks but we have bad and good episodes also.

I don't think they are ever going to get rid of fb's.They should try to concentrate on the neglected characters fb's like Claire, Danielle, Ben, Walt etc.

I used to love the flashbacks because they pertained to the episode and explained why a character was a certain way.

But now it's like the same thing over and over again.

It seems like every Hurley episode is "He has bad luck, bad luck follows him, blah blah blah blah"

I like the flashbacks though...but they don't pertain to the storyline and USUALLY don't develop them. And we can find out pre-island secrets without flashbacks...I think.

I like the flashbacks as long as they advance the story/mythology, but I'd also like to spend more time on island.

Sometimes it feels like the island story is shortchanged because of the amount of time spent on flashbacks.

I'm sure it's difficult to strike a balance, with the past being more important for some characters journey than others.

To be fair this poll is... uh... well, slighty biased... considering there is only one option that doesn't appear to dislike flashbacks. :o

So... I voted in favour of "99% flashbacks in each and every episode"? :eek2:

:biggrin:

To be fair this poll is... uh... well, slighty biased... considering there is only one option that doesn't appear to dislike flashbacks. :o

So... I voted in favour of "99% flashbacks in each and every episode"? :eek2:

:biggrin:

Say word, this is a real lop-sided poll here. you must not like the flashbacks.

The flashbacks are fine. Where's the, "I wouldn't change a thing to them" option??

None of the choices describe my feelings about the flashbacks.

I do like flashbacks, and I do think they should continue to be part of each episode, but 99% is overdoing it while a few minutes per episode wouldn't tell a coherent story. I do agree to an extent that some of the flashbacks have become filler material, but I think they still serve a purpose and they are an important part of the show. I agree with a poster above that they should start to explore other parts of each character's life now, away from the usual theme they have for each person. In Season 2, the best flashbacks were for the new characters, and I'm sure it's going to be the case for Season 3 as well.

I ended up voting for the first option mainly to show that I'm still glad the flashbacks are there.

I do agree to an extent that some of the flashbacks have become filler material, but I think they still serve a purpose and they are an important part of the show. I agree with a poster above that they should start to explore other parts of each character's life now, away from the usual theme they have for each person.

Well said. It'd be nice to see some happier moments from these character's lives (surely, they've had some?!?!). Not sure how that would parallel what's happening on the island, but there must be some beautiful, rewarding, fun stories to tell... It'd also be nice to see more of Widmore, Sun's dad, etc. -- those potential "behind the scenes" players that may or may not be connected to the island thru their companies...

None of the choices describe my feelings about the flashbacks.

I do like flashbacks, and I do think they should continue to be part of each episode, but 99% is overdoing it while a few minutes per episode wouldn't tell a coherent story. I do agree to an extent that some of the flashbacks have become filler material, but I think they still serve a purpose and they are an important part of the show. I agree with a poster above that they should start to explore other parts of each character's life now, away from the usual theme they have for each person. In Season 2, the best flashbacks were for the new characters, and I'm sure it's going to be the case for Season 3 as well.

I ended up voting for the first option mainly to show that I'm still glad the flashbacks are there.

My thoughts exactly. I voted for the first option because I do really enjoy the flashbacks and feel they are valuable parts of the story. However, I prefer on island scenes and am somewhat tired of seeing the same things in flashbacks (Charlie's on drugs, Locke's being taken advantage of, Sawyer's a con-man, etc...)

I voted 'Minimize the flashbacks to just a few minutes each episode, to advance the island storyline.' I feel we need an island flashback, or something, so there could be somewhat of a change in flashbacks. (A small turn around. Thats it. )