On 22 September 2004, Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashed on an uncharted island 1000 miles off its original course, and TV was never the same. A paralysed man found himself walking again, a polar bear emerged, and something more ominous lurked in the jungle shadows.
Throughout its ground-breaking first season, Lost set up intricate plotlines for its colourful ensemble cast and introduced narrative structures that have inspired almost every prestigious show since. Stranger Things’ complex plotlines? Lost. The flashbacks in Orange Is the New Black? Lost. Ensemble casts with their own relevant stories? Lost.
Still, for so many viewers, the first thing Lost brings to mind is its ultimate fall off the rails. Should this perceived derailment define its legacy? Or is it more fitting to celebrate the show’s undeniable and far-reaching influence on the landscape of modern television?
Lost‘s Beginnings
With a two-part pilot widely regarded as one of the most expensive and ambitious premieres ever produced for TV, it’s impossible for Lost not to have made an impact. Those first few moments — Jack Shepherd opening his eyes, a golden Labrador ambling through the jungle, a single white shoe strung up on a tree branch — set up an unprecedented feat that changed episodic storytelling forever.
Where TV was once entertainment most would have enjoyed on their own, the release of Lost denoted it commonplace for people to discuss their watches online, scour forums for theories, and listen to related podcasts as they dissected every plot twist and character arc. The impact of television has, for better or for worse, extended beyond simply watching it.
Continuing Influences
Aside from having one of the best pilots in TV history, it’s important to highlight the other qualities that made Lost special. Famous for his work on The Incredibles and Up, the renowned Michael Giacchino composed the show’s haunting soundtrack and was intent on crafting a pun into almost every title he came up with. And where else can you watch Damon Salvatore, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Mercutio fight for survival on a seemingly sentient island?
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Despite its unnecessarily convoluted second half, Lost’s influence is impossible to ignore, even in its shortcomings. In the current age of television, where streaming platforms and cable networks are constantly vying for viewers’ attention, creating something truly innovative is quite an uphill battle. With the streaming landscape saturated with countless shows spanning every genre imaginable, it has become increasingly challenging for new productions to stand out. Lost not only set the bar for ambitious production but also encouraged a generation of new storytellers to think outside the box. It’s impossible to write a conclusive article about Lost without spoiling its most gripping moments. So, if you’re looking for a show to binge that’ll keep you guessing, or want to appreciate one of the innovators of modern television, give Lost a try, and let its legacy live on.