So for the past couple of seasons I’ve had this theory about the tv-show “Lost”, and everything I’ve seen so far falls neatly into line with that theory. I’ve told my wife about it a few times, but she actually finds it a really annoying theory. So be warned: if you like the show, and you’re not happy by it seemingly not going anywhere, chances are you will be pretty annoyed by this theory as well.
But I’m really certain this is what’s going on: Form over content.
I believe the creators have intentionally set out to write a show that is gripping, but not necessarily consistent, believable or even going anywhere. It has to be exciting, tense and unexpected. No matter what strange beast, supernatural phenomenon or Deux Ex Machina they have to pull out of their ass this time.
In short: there is no story. Never will be. If you think all the weird and whacky story lines will all fall together and start making sense, you’ll be very disappointed. They won’t. The actors don’t know what’s going on. The writers don’t know what’s going on. The network doesn’t know what’s going on. And it’s going to stay that way.
Lost is about characters. About confronting those characters with strange, challenging, scary, mystifying and upsetting situations - and with other characters. Then we all sit back and watch what happens. The situations are great. The characters are great. They are well written and usually well acted.
So no story and you’ll damn well like it, too. Lost is about putting me on the edge of my seat. And that’s exactly what they’ve done and it’s why I’ll keep watching.
My name is Hans Dekker and I endorse this message.
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5 responses so far ↓
Thom Allen // March 7, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Interesting theory. The show really does focus more on the characters and their apparent relationships with each other.
So why do yo suppose the writers are eluding to 8 survivors getting off the island? What does the ship Sayid and Desmond are on have to do with anything then? Just random plots thrown in the mix?
I think you are probably more right than wrong. I think there will be some “ah ha!” at the very end (at least my brain wants that to happen.) I will fun to see how it all plays out. Great post.
hansdekker // March 7, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Hah Good luck waiting for the A ha.
I think it’s six by the way, as in ‘oceanic six’. I don’t know. It’s all very intriguing. And cool. But not going anywhere. The show will be more fun if you just let go of that
Mick // March 16, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I’ve had this theory since season one, yeah they’ll explain some stuff, but there is so much stuff it can’t be explained, I stopped watching lost midway through the second season, because I knew this is how it would go.
hansdekker // March 17, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Some think that if the plot suddenly was clearly outlined, most people would lose interest. The open endedness is what people respond to, and it also seems to be what gives the writers the freedom to come up with some cool stuff they couldn’t have otherwise.
Steve Judkins // April 29, 2008 at 11:19 pm
No way… there is a grand unified theory that will pull this whole thing together! Just you wait. I think the writers are given some freedom to ad-lib as long as they don’t stray too far from the basic plot and don’t reveal too much too soon. The series does have an end in sight and it will need to make sense when viewed from beginning to end.
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