ALARIS' REVIEWS

30th May 2010
Lost: Seasons 1-6 (2004)

Lost sets a new standard for non-linear, supernatural, ensemble, myth arc television series.

Lost makes an impressive season one debut, with the survivors of crashed Oceanic flight 815 struggling to survive on an island brimming with conundrums. Each character's story unfolds through flashbacks, revealing complex interconnections as the series progresses. The series flounders in the second and third seasons, finds its way in the fourth, and powers home in the fifth and sixth.

While the finale will polarise viewers, Lost is a monumental achievement in convoluted plotting. While some series set up mysteries that are never satisfactorily answered, Lost demonstrates remarkable forethought, commitment to continuity, and delivers on many of its promises. In terms of mythology management, it sets The X Files (1993) on fire and kicks it through a six storey window.

Even through its muddled middle seasons, Lost maintains a high level of production excellence. At its best, the story has a strong sense of cool dramatics, most of the characters are complex and empathetic, and the quality of the cast is exceptional.

In particular, Lost is a triumph for Terry O'Quinn, who plays the chronically tormented and gut wrenchingly tragic John Locke. O'Quinn is a genre series fixture, cropping up on almost every science fiction series I've watched (Star Trek: TNG, 1994; Millennium, 1996; Roswell, 2001 etc.). Locke is the role of a lifetime – or rather, O'Quinn makes it the role of a lifetime. Emmy well deserved.

Michael Emerson also deserves an ovation for his role as Ben Linus – a sterling example of how to turn a walk-on role into a leading man. Linus is a brilliant mess of a character, who manages to be alternately chilling and hilarious, and at times heartbreaking.

I also have to mention Evangeline Lilly, who's lovely as the understated, kick-ass Kate; Josh Holloway, whose versatility transforms the charismatic Sawyer into an indispensable character; and Yunjin Kim, whose powerfully honest performances make Sun an absolute pleasure to watch.

While the ending of Lost will disappoint some viewers, the journey is one of intriguing mysteries, fairly coherently plotted story, compelling characters, and some awesome cool moments.

Verdict: An intriguing series that successfully blends dramatic action with subtle human drama, in a format that blows a hole in traditional, linear storytelling.

***+